Effects of Ergonomics Education in Physiotherapy Students

This randomized controlled study investigated the short‐ and medium‐term effects ofergonomics education on muscle activation, ergonomic musculoskeletal risk, posture,postural habits and awareness, musculoskeletal discomfort, and fatigue in final‐yearphysiotherapy and rehabilitation students undertaking clinical internships.Participants were final‐year students in the Department of Physiotherapy andRehabilitation at Karabuk University who were undertaking their clinical internship atthe Karabuk University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center.Eligible volunteers were randomly allocated to an ergonomics education group or a controlgroup.Participants allocated to the intervention group received a total of four hours offace‐to‐face ergonomics education, including theoretical and practical components. Theeducation was delivered over two weeks, with two hours of training provided each week.The control group received no ergonomics education during the study period.Assessments were performed at baseline, on the first working day following completion ofthe ergonomics education, and six weeks after the intervention. Muscle activation of theupper and middle trapezius muscles was assessed using surface electromyography. Ergonomicmusculoskeletal risk during clinical activities was evaluated using the Rapid Entire BodyAssessment (REBA). Postural assessment was performed using PostureScreen Mobile, andpostural habits and awareness were evaluated using the Postural Habits and AwarenessScale. Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the Cornell MusculoskeletalDiscomfort Questionnaire, and fatigue was evaluated using the Chalder Fatigue Scale.The study was designed to determine whether ergonomics education provided beforegraduation could promote safer body mechanics and working postures among physiotherapystudents and potentially reduce factors associated with future work‐relatedmusculoskeletal problems.