The Effects of “Postural Pilates in Office” Software on Musculoskeletal Pain and Forward Head Posture in Healthy Computer-Based Workers: A Pilot Study

Objective: Technological software in body biomechanics has been using more frequently with the development and application of real-time technological approaches to minimize musculoskeletal pain and postural problems in office workers. It was aimed to develop a software called “Postural Pilates in Office” that includes visual representation reminders, which are used in the Pilates Exercise Concept, to maintain ideal posture and office exercises and to investigate the effects of the software on head–neck posture and musculoskeletal pain of computer-based workers. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in multiple institutions in Istanbul, Türkiye, between November 2019 and June 2020. Forty-nine computer-based office workers were assigned to an intervention group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 24). The intervention group used the “Postural Pilates in Office” software, which provided real-time visual postural reminders and exercise notifications during working hours, while the control group followed standard ergonomic recommendations. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and head–neck posture was evaluated using craniovertebral (CV) and sagittal head tilt angles by photographic analysis over an 8-week period. Independent and paired t-tests were used for between- and within-group comparisons, respectively, and effect sizes were calculated using Hedges' g. Results: The demographics, work duration, and initial evaluation parameters of groups were similar (P >.05). The pain level of the intervention group was lower with a large effect size (t = −3.976, P <.001, Hedge’s g = 1.147) and the CV degree of the intervention group was higher than the controls with a moderate to large effect size (t = 2.162, P = .036, Hedge’s g = 0.616) 8 weeks after. In intra-group analyses, all parameters were improved in only the intervention group (P <.001). Conclusion: The developed software demonstrated positive effects on musculoskeletal pain and head–neck posture in computer-based workers. These findings suggest that real-time software integrated into office working hours may contribute to improving body biomechanics and reducing musculoskeletal problems and could be considered as a complementary approach. Future studies are needed to explore its effects alongside or in comparison with other exercise interventions. Cite this article as: Özgül B, Al A, Ünal ZF, Can HB, Polat MG. The effects of “postural pilates in office” software on musculoskeletal pain and forward head posture in healthy computer-based workers: a pilot study. Arch Health Sci Res. 2026, 13, 00 249, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2026.25249.