An interventional study of Active Break Exercises in Office Workers, sponsored by Istanbul Aydın University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 20 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-18.
Sponsored by Istanbul Aydın University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effects of active and passive break applications during work hours on cervical and shoulder range of motion (ROM), neck functionality, pain intensity, and fatigue levels among office workers. Participants are randomly assigned to either an Active Break Group, performing structured exercises, or a Control Group with passive rest over a 5-day protocol.
Prolonged sitting and sustained static postures during computer use are significant occupational health hazards for office workers, frequently leading to cumulative mechanical loading, localized muscle fatigue, and functional impairments in the neck and shoulder regions. Continuous isometric muscle activity during desk work increases intramuscular pressure and reduces local circulation, which consequently decreases joint range of motion, restricts neck functionality, and elevates subjective fatigue levels. While traditional passive rest breaks (sitting quietly) are commonly utilized, they often fall short of mitigating these sedentary stress factors. In contrast, structured active rest breaks involving dynamic movement and stretching can trigger a "muscle pump" mechanism, enhance tissue oxygenation, lower viscoelastic stiffness, and systematically reduce fatigue and pain perceptions.
Although long-term exercise interventions are well-documented, clinical trials directly comparing the acute, immediate impacts of structured active breaks versus passive rest strategies on multi-dimensional outcomes remain limited. To address this methodological gap, this randomized controlled trial evaluates and compares the acute effects of active and passive break applications among office workers who work at a desk for at least 5 hours a day. Participants are randomly allocated into two parallel arms: the Active Break Group and the Control (Passive Break) Group. The intervention protocol spans a total of 5 working days, with both groups taking a 5-minute designated break every hour. The Active Break Group performs structured stretching and mobility exercises targeted at the cervical and shoulder regions under physiotherapist supervision, while the Control Group rests quietly at their workstations. Objective and subjective assessments are conducted at baseline and immediately following the 5-day protocol using cervical and shoulder range of motion (ROM) measurements via a goniometer, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for neck functionality, and the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-T) questionnaire to determine acute fatigue levels.
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This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 54 across 1,757 interventional studies indexed under Fatigue.
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You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The active break intervention is performed for 5 minutes every hour during the workday for a total of 5 working days. Under the supervision of a physiotherapist, participants perform structured active rest breaks consisting of stretching and mobility exercises targeted at the cervical and shoulder regions. The protocol includes: cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation stretches; upper trapezius stretching, pectoral stretching, posterior capsule stretching; shoulder shrugs, shoulder rolls, and scapular retraction exercises. Each exercise is performed either as a 15-second stretch or completed for 10 repetitions per session, always maintained within a safe and pain-free range of motion.
Behavioral: Active Break Exercises
The passive break group takes a 5-minute passive rest break every hour during the workday for a total of 5 working days. During these designated break periods, participants remain seated quietly and rest at their workstations. They do not perform any physical exercises, stretching routines, or structured active movements, maintaining their usual sedentary work routine during the breaks.
The active break intervention is performed for 5 minutes every hour during the workday for a total of 5 working days. Under the supervision of a physiotherapist, participants perform structured active rest breaks consisting of stretching and mobility exercises targeted at the cervical and shoulder regions. The protocol includes: cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation stretches; upper trapezius stretching, pectoral stretching, posterior capsule stretching; shoulder shrugs, shoulder rolls, and scapular retraction exercises. Each exercise is performed either as a 15-second stretch or completed for 10 repetitions per session, always maintained within a safe and pain-free range of motion.
Cervical Range of Motion
Cervical range of motion including flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation will be measured in degrees using a goniometer to assess active neck mobility. Higher values in degrees indicate better cervical joint mobility.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (at the end of 5 working days)
Shoulder Range of Motion
Active shoulder range of motion (including flexion and abduction) will be measured in degrees using a goniometer to assess shoulder mobility. Higher values in degrees indicate better shoulder joint mobility.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (at the end of 5 working days)
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
A 10-cm scale used to measure the subjective intensity of neck pain, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (at the end of 5 working days)
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
A self-reported questionnaire with 10 items used to measure how neck pain affects functionality and daily life activities. Total scores range from 0 to 50, where higher scores indicate greater neck disability.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (at the end of 5 working days)
Checklist Individual Strength - Turkish Version (CIS-T)
A 20-item self-report questionnaire used to assess different aspects of fatigue, including subjective fatigue, concentration, motivation, and physical activity levels. Total scores range from 20 to 140, where higher scores indicate greater fatigue levels.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (at the end of 5 working days)
Plan to share: No
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Istanbul Aydın University