The Effect of Cognitive, Circulatory, and Therapeutic Exercises on Musculoskeletal Pain, Posture, Eye Fatigue, and Cognitive Function in Desk Workers

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 24 - 33, 25.01.2026

Elif Feyza Yücel , Nilüfer Cerbezer , Elif Tuğçe Çil

https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1806180

https://izlik.org/JA68XS53YS

Abstract

Prolonged sitting and screen exposure are associated with musculoskeletal pain, postural problems, visual fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance in desk workers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an eight-week integrated exercise program including cognitive, circulatory, and therapeutic exercises on pain, posture, computer vision symptoms, and cognitive function. Thirty volunteers (15 women, 15 men; M = 32 ± 8.56 years) from professional occupations participated in a pretest–posttest intervention design. Assessments included the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), New York Posture Rating Chart (NYPRC), Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and Continuous Concentration Test (CCT). Participants performed the printed and illustrated exercise program every two hours daily for eight weeks, progressing from 8–10 to 15–20 repetitions. Data were analyzed using paired t tests and Wilcoxon tests (p<.05). Post-intervention results indicated significant improvements in posture (NYPRC; p<.01), pain intensity and affective scores (SF-MPQ; p<.01), and quality of life (SF-12 physical and mental components; p<.01). Pain prevalence decreased in the neck, back, shoulder, and knee regions, and cognitive performance (CCT) improved significantly (p<.01). Reductions in computer vision syndrome scores were observed but not significant (p>.05). The eight-week integrated exercise program effectively reduced musculoskeletal pain, enhanced postural alignment and.

Keywords

Desk workers , Musculoskeletal pain , Posture , Cognitive function , Therapeutic exercise

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