Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41388556›Full record

ArticleTrials2025

Prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain among abdominal and pelvic surgeons with intelligent physical exercise training (IPET) and intraoperative ergonomic recommendations (ERGO): study protocol for a multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial in Denmark and North America (USA).

Helle Joon Christiansen, Louise Fleng Sandal, Ole Mogensen, Hamid Norasi, Kristin Chrouser, M Susan Hallbeck, Pernille Tine Jensen, Tina Dalager

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in Trials, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06112106 (A Multi-center, Randomized, Parallel-group, 4-month Study to Compare the Effect of Ergonomic Recommendations Versus Intelligent Physical Exercise Training), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06112106 nacompletednot on this map

A Multi-center, Randomized, Parallel-group, 4-month Study to Compare the Effect of Ergonomic Recommendations Versus Intelligent Physical Exercise Training (IPET) and Ergonomic Recommendations on Musculoskeletal Pain Among Abdominal and Pelvic Surgeons.

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of AarhusRan2023 to 2026Enrolled83ConditionsOccupational Injuries, Occupational ExposureArmsIntelligent Physical Exercise Training (IPET)
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Helle Joon ChristiansenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark. hjchristiansen@clin.au.dk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3614-6613
Louise Fleng SandalDepartment of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230, Denmark.
Ole MogensenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark. olemog@clin.au.dk.
Hamid NorasiRobert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Healthcare Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Kristin ChrouserDepartment of Urology and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, University of Michigan, Michigan, USA.
M Susan HallbeckRobert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Healthcare Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Pernille Tine JensenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark.
Tina DalagerDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark.

Funding

Arbejdsmiljøforskningsfonden 20215100734
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurgeons are in high demand due to the ageing population's increased need for surgery. However, the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) threatens their career longevity. While improving intraoperative ergonomics is crucial, physical exercise training is also widely used in managing MSP. The objective is to investigate the added effectiveness of intelligent physical exercise training (IPET) when combined with intraoperative ergonomic recommendations (ERGO), compared to ERGO alone, in reducing MSP among abdominal and pelvic surgeons.

methodsThis pragmatic, multicenter, 20-week, superiority, open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) is conducted in two phases. Phase 1 is a 3-month ergonomic educational period (ERGO) delivered to all participants. Phase 2 is the RCT, where participants are randomized 1:1 to ERGO (control) or ERGO + IPET (intervention). ERGO provides recommendations for operating room (OR) ergonomics, including posture and microbreaks, displayed in and around ORs. IPET prescribes 50 min of individualized weekly exercise, tailored to MSP, job profile (sedentary, walking/standing, or heavy work), physical capacity, and health risk indicators, and is delivered via a mobile application. Eligible surgeons specialize in gynecology, urology, and colorectal surgery and perform ≥ 4 h/week of abdominal or pelvic surgery (robot-assisted, laparoscopic, or open, excluding vaginal surgery), and complete the Phase 1 questionnaire. Surgeons advised against exercise by their GP are excluded. Participants are recruited from regional and academic hospitals in Denmark and North America. Enrollment begins with completion of the ERGO survey and consent in the baseline questionnaire. Recruitment started 13 December 2023, with a target sample size of 83. The primary effect of interest is the between-group difference in MSP intensity (0-10 numeric rating scale) at 20 weeks in the body part reported as most painful at baseline, analyzed using a linear mixed model with baseline MSP as covariate. Harms include increases in MSP or injury, though these will not be systematically collected. Participants and research staff are not blinded. Outcome interpretation will be blinded to group allocation. DISCUSSION: This trial addresses a gap in strategies to mitigate MSP among surgeons by combining ergonomics recommendations with app-delivered IPET. Findings may inform strategies to improve surgeon well-being and reduce future workforce shortages.

trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, NCT06112106. Registered on October 4, 2023.

Indexed as

ErgonomicsExercise TherapyMusculoskeletal PainOccupational DiseasesSurgeonsAbdomenDenmarkEquivalence Trials as TopicFemaleHumansMulticenter Studies as TopicNorth AmericaPragmatic Clinical Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesErgonomicsExerciseMicrobreakMusculoskeletal painRehabilitationSurgeonSurgical ergonomicsWorkplace intervention

Identifiers

PMID41388556
PMCPMC12699809

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.