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Effect of Dynamic Sitting on Pain Development - Part 2 A Randomized Controlled Cross-over Study of Dynamic Office Chairs on Lower Back Pain
Led by University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria · Updated on 2025-09-29
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
12 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating the effects of dynamic office chairs on the overall health, physical, and mental well-being of office workers who develop lower back pain. This study builds on previous work (Dyn-Sit-Pain study) and aims to professionally support the development of innovative dynamic office chair concepts by examining prototypes in usability studies. The trial is a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label design with two cross-over tracks involving office workers classified as pain developers. Participants are assigned to one of two study tracks: one using a saddle chair with a standard pendulum mechanism and the other using an office swivel chair with a newly developed pendulum mechanism. Each track compares the dynamic chair to a static office chair used in the participant's personal workplace. The study includes two 6-week phases of chair use separated by a minimum 4-week wash-out period to ensure baseline conditions. Participants are randomized into groups to receive the chairs in different sequences, with total participation lasting 16 weeks. During the study, participants attend a pre-screening visit and four assessment visits. Assessments include tracking subjective lower back pain, mental fatigue, work performance, pain's impact on daily life, chair usability, sitting behaviors, and adverse events. Pain and fatigue are measured before and after work weekly using a visual analogue scale, and usability is assessed by questionnaires. Sitting behavior is monitored by microcontrollers. Safety is tracked throughout the study period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Dynamic Sitting on Pain Development - Part 2
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Signed informed consent
- Aged between 18 and 65 years
- Classified as pain developers (e.g., 10 mm increase in pain on a 100 mm visual analogue scale)
- Office workers
- Employed more than 25 hours per week
- Sufficient knowledge of German (minimum B2 level)
- Body height at least 160 cm
- Use of electrically or manually height-adjustable desk at main workstation
You will not qualify if you...
- Physical or mental limitations that prevent use of dynamic sitting or study chair (e.g., wheelchair users, vestibular dysfunction)
- Pregnancy
- Sitting less than 20 hours per week at main workplace
- Body weight over 110 kg and height over 195 cm
- Regular therapy or medications affecting pain perception (e.g., psychotropic drugs)
- Office chair incompatible with swivel mechanism prototype
- Presence of chronic diseases influencing pain perception (e.g., chronic kidney disease, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 pre-screening visit
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants use either a dynamic office chair or a static office chair at their personal workplace for 6 weeks as part of the study intervention or control phase.
4 assessment visits during this period
Duration - At least 4 weeks
Participants undergo a wash-out period with no intervention to ensure baseline conditions before switching chair types.
No specific visits during this period
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants switch to the other chair type (dynamic or static) and use it at their personal workplace for 6 weeks.
4 assessment visits during this period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria
Linz, Upper Austria, Austria, 4020
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
4
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