Work-Related Musculoskeletal DisordersHUMLANCT07805629
Reducing Physical Workload Among Assistant Nurses Through Ergonomic Work Technique Training With or Without Biofeedback
A study testing Group A. Patient handling and movement training and Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback in people with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, run by Linkoeping University.
Trial summary
Assistant nurses often develop work-related pain in the back, neck and shoulders because their work involves frequent patient handling and movement. Training in safe patient handling may help reduce pain and injury risk, and biofeedback may further support better work techniques during everyday care work. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Group A. Patient handling and movement training and Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 18 Jan 2027to 31 Dec 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Female assistant nurses (AN)
- Employed in/ work in hospital inpatient care or residential care settings
- Employment in south-east Sweden within the counties of Östergötland and Jönköping
- Have at least one year of work experience as AN
- Permanent employmentReport musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck/shoulder region and/or back;
- Have average pain intensity of at least 3/10 on the NRS during the preceding week
Who cannot join
- Currently on sick leave;
- Are receiving other ongoing treatment for their musculoskeletal condition
- Have a disorder considered unrelated to their work
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Reducing Physical Workload Among Assistant Nurses Through Ergonomic Work Technique Training With or Without Biofeedback: Study Protocol for a Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial
Assistant nurses often develop work-related pain in the back, neck and shoulders because their work involves frequent patient handling and movement. Training in safe patient handling may help reduce pain and injury risk, and biofeedback may further support better work techniques during everyday care work.
This study will test whether workplace-based training in patient handling can reduce musculoskeletal problems among assistant nurses. It will also examine whether adding six weeks of self-managed biofeedback-supported work technique training gives extra benefits compared with patient handling training alone. The study will include 60 assistant nurses with musculoskeletal symptoms, who will be randomly assigned to one of the two training groups. Data will be collected through interviews, physical assessments, questionnaires at baseline, six weeks and six months, and weekly SMS monitoring. Interviews with assistant nurses and managers will also explore how the intervention works in practice, how safe patient handling can be promoted, and what organisational factors support safer working methods.
Read the detailed description
Introduction: Assistant nurses (AN) are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) affecting the back and neck/shoulder region. Patient handling and movement (PHM) competence and safe working methods may reduce symptoms and injury risk. Biofeedback may further support the acquisition of more sustainable work techniques. However, early workplace-based interventions using biofeedback during ordinary care work remain insufficiently explored. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether early workplace-based interventions focused on PHM competence can reduce WMSD among AN. Another aim is to examine whether self-administered work technique training supported by biofeedback provides additional benefits beyond PHM competence training alone. Furthermore, we aim to explore managers' experiences of promoting workplace safety within nursing assistants' caregiving practice.
Methods and analysis: This is a multicentre, prospective, longitudinal, two-arm randomised controlled trial in which 60 AN with WMSD will be included. After providing written informed consent, participants will be randomised to PHM training alone or PHM training plus six weeks of self-administered biofeedback-supported work technique training. Data will be collected through clinical interviews, functional screening, and physical measures. Questionnaires will be completed at baseline, six weeks and six months. Weekly SMS-based monitoring will be conducted throughout the intervention period. Semi-structured interviews with AN and managers will explore experiences of the intervention, feasibility, implementation and organisational conditions for safe PHM. Quantitative data will be analysed using parametric or non-parametric methods, as appropriate, and interview data using inductive qualitative content analysis.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2027-4422-01). All participants will provide written informed consent before participation. Data will be handled confidentially, stored securely and reported in non-identifiable form in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the General Data Protection Regulation. Findings will be disseminated to healthcare, stakeholders, and students, and through scientific publications and presentations.
Following participant approval, managers will receive an information letter describing the study and its requirements. Because participation will take place during working hours, approval from the participant's immediate manager is required. Managers of participating AN will also be invited to participate after providing written informed consent; the number of managers is not predetermined, as more than one nursing assistant may be recruited from each workplace.
Each participant's manager will be provided with information regarding the study design and will receive educational material focused on ergonomics and PHM competence. Both participants and their managers will have access to project support and may contact the research team with questions throughout the study period.
- Conditions
- Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Being tested
- Group A. Patient handling and movement training, Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback
- Keywords
- musculoskeletal disorders, nursing assistants, patient transfers, ergonomics, biofeedback, occupational health, workplace intervention, randomised controlled trial
- Medical subject headings
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group A. Patient handling and movement trainingOther
Both groups: Participants in Groups A and B will receive individualised ergonomic advice tailored to their work situation and needs. During the first weeks, they will complete a digital educational programme delivered through the county council of Östergötland's educational platform and receive a five-step checklist for safe patient handling and movement (PHM), based on Safe Patient Handling - A Research-Based Guide for an Improved Work Environment. The programme includes theoretical and practical PHM training, with emphasis on risk assessment, safe patient transfers and other physically demanding work tasks. Practical instruction will also be provided in the participants' own workplaces.
Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedbackOther
Biofeedback-supported work technique training (Group B): Participants in Group B will additionally receive six weeks of self-administered work technique training supported by biofeedback (Wergonic AB, Tullinge, Sweden). Wearable inertial measurement unit sensors attached to the trunk and upper arm will monitor working postures during routine care work, particularly movements involving the back and neck/shoulder region (34, 35) (Figure 2). When unfavourable postures are detected, the system provides gentle vibrotactile feedback, which increases with less favourable postures and stops when a more ergonomic posture is adopted. After instruction, participants will use the system independently during normal work to practise less physically demanding work techniques. They will complete at least ten sessions of a minimum of 20 minutes over six weeks, with the option to train more frequently or for longer periods.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A. Patient handling and movement training | Active comparator | Participants in both Groups A and B will during the first weeks receive a digital educational programme comprising modules delivered through educational platform of the county council of Östergötland. In addition, participants will receive a five-step checklist describing safe PHM, based on Safe Patient Handling - A Research-Based Guide for an Improved Work Environment.
The educational content emphasises theoretical and practical training in PHM competence, including the importance of conducting risk assessments and evaluating risks associated with each patient transfer and other physically demanding work tasks.
Participants will also receive practical instruction in PHM techniques within their own workplace. Receives: Other: Group A. Patient handling and movement training |
| Group B. Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback | Active comparator | Group B. As described above plus Biofeedback-supported work technique training. Participants in Group B will receive six weeks of self-administered biofeedback-supported work technique training in addition to PHM training. The system uses inertial measurement unit sensors attached to the trunk and upper arm to monitor back and arm postures during routine work activities, with particular focus on the neck/shoulder region and back (34, 35) (Figure 2). When unfavourable postures are detected, participants receive gentle vibratory feedback, increasing with less favourable postures and stopping when more ergonomic postures are adopted. After instruction and practical training, participants will use the system independently during ordinary work tasks to develop more ergonomic and less physically demanding techniques. The minimum dose is 10 sessions of at least 20 minutes over six weeks, although participants may complete longer or additional sessions if they wish. Receives: Other: Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
Pain: Overall work-related musculoskeletal disorders current pain intensity in the back/neck/shoulder will be measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0-10, higher levels indicate more severe pain). One score for the whole area.
Measured: Baseline, 6-week, 6-month
Work technique
Participating AN will receive a weekly SMS question: "How well has your work technique functioned this week in relation to safe patient handling and movement? (0 = not at all well; 10 = very well)."
Measured: During the intervention period, every week from baseline to six months follow-up.
Secondary outcomes (20)
Health related quality of life
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the EQ-5D-5L Swedish version (permission to be used Aug. 18, 2026, tracking number 87167). The instrument consists of five questions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression (1 = no problem; 5= unable to extreme problems). The health state is defined by combining one level from each of the five dimensions to an index score (0.31 = the worst to 1 = the best) health state. This is one instrument, the results of the instrument is presented as an index score only according to the EQ manual and as commonly used.
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
EQ-VAS
EQ-VAS (vertical thermometer) (0 = the worst health you can imagine; 100 = the best health you can imagine). (Permission to be used Aug. 18, 2026, tracking number 87167.)
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 6 month
Neck Disability Index
The impact of neck pain on daily life will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) (percentage from 0% to 100%, with higher scores indicating greater neck-related disability).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
QuickDASH-7
Upper limb function will be assessed using the modified QuickDASH-7 (0 = no disability; 100 = most severe disability)
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire
Functional limitations related to low back pain will be assessed using the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire version 2.1 (percentage from 0% to 100%, with higher scores indicating greater low-back-related disability).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Work ability
Work ability will be assessed using Question 1 of the Work Ability Index (WAI) (0 = completely unable to work; 10 = work ability at its lifetime best).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool
Problems related to the physically, environmentally and psychosocially demanding aspects of the work environment will be assessed using the Structured Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool (SMET) rated on a 10-point scale (1-11). Responses will be trichotomized into scores 1-3 = "a low degree of problems," 4-7 = "a moderate degree of problems," and 8-10 = "a high degree of problems."
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Stress
Perceived stress will be assessed using a single-item question: "Have you felt stressed recently?" (1 = not at all; 5 = very much)
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Perceived exertion
Perceived physical exertion at work will be assessed using the Borg Category Ratio Scale (0 = no exertion at all; 10 = extremely strong or maximal exertion) (CR-10) and will also be applied in relation to patient transfers, as reported in previous research
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Patient transfers
The number of patient transfers performed during a typical working day will be assessed using the Number of Daily Patient Transfers measure (higher values = more patient transfers performed per day, with no fixed highest value)
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Productivity
Experiences of work environment-related problems that have affected health, work performance, or sickness presence (presenteeism) during the preceding seven days will be assessed on a 0-10 scale (higher scores indicate greater negative impact).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Psychosocial safety climate
Psychosocial safety climate will be assessed using the four-item Psychosocial Safety Climate Scale (4-20 scale, higher categories indicating higher level of safety climate).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Physical activity
Two questions concerning physical activity (1 = 0 minutes to 6 > 300 minutes) and exercise (1 = 0 minutes to 6 > 120 minutes) will be used, with higher categories indicating a higher level of physical activity.
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Need for recovery
The need for recovery will be measured using the short version of the Need for Recovery Scale, consisting of three items (0-3 scale, higher scores indicate a greater need for recovery).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Patient-Specific Functional Scale
Participants will identify work-related activities that they find difficult to perform and rate the importance of these activities at baseline, six weeks and six months follow-up using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) (0 = unable to perform the activity at all; 10 = able to perform)
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Expectations and goal setting
During the assessment, participants will be asked to rate their expectations regarding participation in the study, particularly in relation to increasing their knowledge of OSH, ergonomics and PHM competence. Participants will also formulate individual goals, describing what they wish to achieve through participation and identifying factors that may facilitate or hinder goal attainment.
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Pain intensity last week
Description: Pain intensity: Overall work-related musculoskeletal disorders pain intensity in the back/neck/shoulder area during the last week will be measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0-10, higher levels indicate more severe pain). One score only for the whole area.
Time Frame: Baseline, 6-week, 6-month
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Neck pain intensity
Current neck pain intensity on the NRS Scale (NRS 0-10, higher levels indicate more severe pain).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Current low back pain intensity
Current low back pain intensity (NRS 0-10, higher levels indicate more severe pain).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Current shoulder pain intensity
Current shoulder pain intensity (NRS 0-10, higher levels indicate more severe pain).
Measured: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Sep 2026
- Study start18 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Work-Related Musculoskeletal DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Linkoeping University
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Collaborators
- Region Östergötland, Department of Health, Medicin and Caring Science, Linköping University, Region Jönköping County, AFA försäkring
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Anneli Peolsson, Linkoeping University
- Investigators
- Anneli Peolsson, Prof., PhD, Principal investigator, 1. Dep. of Health Medicine and Caring Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, and 2. Clinical Occupational and Environmental Medicine Centre, Dep. of Health Medicine and Caring Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Linköping Univiversity, Sweden
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07805629
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Linkoeping U
- Acronym
- HUMLA
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 10 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: De-identified data may be made available from the PI on reasonable request, subject to ethical and legal restrictions.
Publications
Lind CM. A Rapid Review on the Effectiveness and Use of Wearable Biofeedback Motion Capture Systems in Ergonomics to Mitigate Adverse Postures and Movements of the Upper Body. Sensors (Basel). 2024 May 23;24(11):3345. doi: 10.3390/s24113345.
PubMed 38894134Kugler HL, Taylor NF, Brusco NK. Patient handling training interventions and musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare workers: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon. 2024 Jan 26;10(3):e24937. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24937. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.
PubMed 38371982Wahlin C, Stigmar K, Nilsing Strid E. A systematic review of work interventions to promote safe patient handling and movement in the healthcare sector. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 Dec;28(4):2520-2532. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2021.2007660. Epub 2021 Dec 19.
PubMed 34789085Lu L, Ko YM, Chen HY, Chueh JW, Chen PY, Cooper CL. Patient Safety and Staff Well-Being: Organizational Culture as a Resource. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 21;19(6):3722. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063722.
PubMed 35329410Carayon P, Wetterneck TB, Rivera-Rodriguez AJ, Hundt AS, Hoonakker P, Holden R, Gurses AP. Human factors systems approach to healthcare quality and patient safety. Appl Ergon. 2014 Jan;45(1):14-25. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2013.04.023. Epub 2013 Jul 8.
PubMed 23845724Agency for Work Environment Expertise. Safe patient handling - A research based guide for a better working environment.; 2022 Swedish Report No.: 978-91-987762-7-0. 2024 English report No.:978-91-89747-61-6.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reducing Physical Workload Among Assistant Nurses Through Ergonomic Work Technique Training With or Without Biofeedback: Study Protocol for a Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07805629
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HUMLA / Linkoeping U
- Conditions
- Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Keywords
- musculoskeletal disorders, nursing assistants, patient transfers, ergonomics, biofeedback, occupational health, workplace intervention, randomised controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Linkoeping UniversityOther government
- Collaborators
- Region Östergötland, Department of Health, Medicin and Caring Science, Linköping University, Region Jönköping County, AFA försäkring
- Study start
- 18 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Assistant nurses often develop work-related pain in the back, neck and shoulders because their work involves frequent patient handling and movement. Training in safe patient handling may help reduce pain and injury risk, and biofeedback may further support better work techniques during everyday care work.
This study will test whether workplace-based training in patient handling can reduce musculoskeletal problems among assistant nurses. It will also examine whether adding six weeks of self-managed biofeedback-supported work technique training gives extra benefits compared with patient handling training alone. The study will include 60 assistant nurses with musculoskeletal symptoms, who will be randomly assigned to one of the two training groups. Data will be collected through interviews, physical assessments, questionnaires at baseline, six weeks and six months, and weekly SMS monitoring. Interviews with assistant nurses and managers will also explore how the intervention works in practice, how safe patient handling can be promoted, and what organisational factors support safer working methods.
Detailed description
Introduction: Assistant nurses (AN) are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) affecting the back and neck/shoulder region. Patient handling and movement (PHM) competence and safe working methods may reduce symptoms and injury risk. Biofeedback may further support the acquisition of more sustainable work techniques. However, early workplace-based interventions using biofeedback during ordinary care work remain insufficiently explored. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether early workplace-based interventions focused on PHM competence can reduce WMSD among AN. Another aim is to examine whether self-administered work technique training supported by biofeedback provides additional benefits beyond PHM competence training alone. Furthermore, we aim to explore managers' experiences of promoting workplace safety within nursing assistants' caregiving practice.
Methods and analysis: This is a multicentre, prospective, longitudinal, two-arm randomised controlled trial in which 60 AN with WMSD will be included. After providing written informed consent, participants will be randomised to PHM training alone or PHM training plus six weeks of self-administered biofeedback-supported work technique training. Data will be collected through clinical interviews, functional screening, and physical measures. Questionnaires will be completed at baseline, six weeks and six months. Weekly SMS-based monitoring will be conducted throughout the intervention period. Semi-structured interviews with AN and managers will explore experiences of the intervention, feasibility, implementation and organisational conditions for safe PHM. Quantitative data will be analysed using parametric or non-parametric methods, as appropriate, and interview data using inductive qualitative content analysis.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2027-4422-01). All participants will provide written informed consent before participation. Data will be handled confidentially, stored securely and reported in non-identifiable form in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the General Data Protection Regulation. Findings will be disseminated to healthcare, stakeholders, and students, and through scientific publications and presentations.
Following participant approval, managers will receive an information letter describing the study and its requirements. Because participation will take place during working hours, approval from the participant's immediate manager is required. Managers of participating AN will also be invited to participate after providing written informed consent; the number of managers is not predetermined, as more than one nursing assistant may be recruited from each workplace.
Each participant's manager will be provided with information regarding the study design and will receive educational material focused on ergonomics and PHM competence. Both participants and their managers will have access to project support and may contact the research team with questions throughout the study period.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A. Patient handling and movement training | Active comparator | Other: Group A. Patient handling and movement trainingParticipants in both Groups A and B will during the first weeks receive a digital educational programme comprising modules delivered through educational platform of the county council of Östergötland. In addition, participants will receive a five-step checklist describing safe PHM, based on Safe Patient Handling - A Research-Based Guide for an Improved Work Environment. The educational content emphasises theoretical and practical training in PHM competence, including the importance of conducting risk assessments and evaluating risks associated with each patient transfer and other physically demanding work tasks. Participants will also receive practical instruction in PHM techniques within their own workplace. |
| Group B. Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback | Active comparator | Other: Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedbackGroup B. As described above plus Biofeedback-supported work technique training. Participants in Group B will receive six weeks of self-administered biofeedback-supported work technique training in addition to PHM training. The system uses inertial measurement unit sensors attached to the trunk and upper arm to monitor back and arm postures during routine work activities, with particular focus on the neck/shoulder region and back (34, 35) (Figure 2). When unfavourable postures are detected, participants receive gentle vibratory feedback, increasing with less favourable postures and stopping when more ergonomic postures are adopted. After instruction and practical training, participants will use the system independently during ordinary work tasks to develop more ergonomic and less physically demanding techniques. The minimum dose is 10 sessions of at least 20 minutes over six weeks, although participants may complete longer or additional sessions if they wish. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Female assistant nurses (AN)
- Employed in/ work in hospital inpatient care or residential care settings
- Employment in south-east Sweden within the counties of Östergötland and Jönköping
- Have at least one year of work experience as AN
- Permanent employmentReport musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck/shoulder region and/or back;
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Currently on sick leave;
- Are receiving other ongoing treatment for their musculoskeletal condition
- Have a disorder considered unrelated to their work
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Group A. Patient handling and movement trainingBoth groups: Participants in Groups A and B will receive individualised ergonomic advice tailored to their work situation and needs. During the first weeks, they will complete a digital educational programme delivered through the county council of Östergötland's educational platform and receive a five-step checklist for safe patient handling and movement (PHM), based on Safe Patient Handling - A Research-Based Guide for an Improved Work Environment. The programme includes theoretical and practical PHM training, with emphasis on risk assessment, safe patient transfers and other physically demanding work tasks. Practical instruction will also be provided in the participants' own workplaces. | Other | Group A. Patient handling and movement training |
| Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedbackBiofeedback-supported work technique training (Group B): Participants in Group B will additionally receive six weeks of self-administered work technique training supported by biofeedback (Wergonic AB, Tullinge, Sweden). Wearable inertial measurement unit sensors attached to the trunk and upper arm will monitor working postures during routine care work, particularly movements involving the back and neck/shoulder region (34, 35) (Figure 2). When unfavourable postures are detected, the system provides gentle vibrotactile feedback, which increases with less favourable postures and stops when a more ergonomic posture is adopted. After instruction, participants will use the system independently during normal work to practise less physically demanding work techniques. They will complete at least ten sessions of a minimum of 20 minutes over six weeks, with the option to train more frequently or for longer periods. | Other | Group B. Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 6-month
Pain: Overall work-related musculoskeletal disorders current pain intensity in the back/neck/shoulder will be measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0-10, higher levels indicate more severe pain). One score for the whole area.
Work technique
Time frame: During the intervention period, every week from baseline to six months follow-up.
Participating AN will receive a weekly SMS question: "How well has your work technique functioned this week in relation to safe patient handling and movement? (0 = not at all well; 10 = very well)."
20 secondary outcomes
Health related quality of life
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
EQ-VAS
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 6 month
Neck Disability Index
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
QuickDASH-7
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Work ability
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Stress
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Perceived exertion
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Patient transfers
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Productivity
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Psychosocial safety climate
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Physical activity
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Need for recovery
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Patient-Specific Functional Scale
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Expectations and goal setting
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Pain intensity last week
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Neck pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Current low back pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Current shoulder pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 6 month
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 38894134Lind CM. A Rapid Review on the Effectiveness and Use of Wearable Biofeedback Motion Capture Systems in Ergonomics to Mitigate Adverse Postures and Movements of the Upper Body. Sensors (Basel). 2024 May 23;24(11):3345. doi: 10.3390/s24113345.
- Background: PubMed 38371982Kugler HL, Taylor NF, Brusco NK. Patient handling training interventions and musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare workers: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon. 2024 Jan 26;10(3):e24937. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24937. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.
- Background: PubMed 34789085Wahlin C, Stigmar K, Nilsing Strid E. A systematic review of work interventions to promote safe patient handling and movement in the healthcare sector. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 Dec;28(4):2520-2532. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2021.2007660. Epub 2021 Dec 19.
- Background: PubMed 35329410Lu L, Ko YM, Chen HY, Chueh JW, Chen PY, Cooper CL. Patient Safety and Staff Well-Being: Organizational Culture as a Resource. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 21;19(6):3722. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063722.
- Background: PubMed 23845724Carayon P, Wetterneck TB, Rivera-Rodriguez AJ, Hundt AS, Hoonakker P, Holden R, Gurses AP. Human factors systems approach to healthcare quality and patient safety. Appl Ergon. 2014 Jan;45(1):14-25. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2013.04.023. Epub 2013 Jul 8.
- BackgroundAgency for Work Environment Expertise. Safe patient handling - A research based guide for a better working environment.; 2022 Swedish Report No.: 978-91-987762-7-0. 2024 English report No.:978-91-89747-61-6.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. De-identified data may be made available from the PI on reasonable request, subject to ethical and legal restrictions.
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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Ergonomic Risk Exposure
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Anneli Peolsson, Prof., PhD principal investigator
1. Dep. of Health Medicine and Caring Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, and 2. Clinical Occupational and Environmental Medicine Centre, Dep. of Health Medicine and Caring Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Linköping Univiversity, Sweden
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group A. Patient handling and movement training and Group B: Patient handling and movement training plus biofeedback in people with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, run by Linkoeping University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Anneli Peolsson, Professor, PhD (+4613284601, anneli.peolsson@liu.se), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain intensity (time frame: Baseline, 6-week, 6-month). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07805629, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Sep 2026.