STUDY DESIGN: A quasi-experimental pre/post design. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of a 2-school-year multifactorial back education program on back posture knowledge and postural behavior in elementary schoolchildren. Additionally, self-reported back or neck pain and fear-avoidance beliefs were evaluated. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Epidemiologic studies report mounting nonspecific back pain prevalence among youngsters, characterized by multifactorial risk factors. Study findings of school-based interventions are promising. Furthermore, biomechanical discomfort is found in the school environment. METHODS: The study sample included 193 intervention children and 172 controls (baseline, 9-to-11-year-olds). The multifactorial intervention consisted of a back education program and the stimulation of postural dynamism in the class through support and environmental changes. Evaluation consisted of a questionnaire, an observation of postural behavior in the classroom, and an observation of material handling during a movement session. RESULTS: The intervention resulted in increased back posture knowledge (P < 0.001), improved postural behavior during material handling (P < 0.001), and decreased duration of trunk flexion (P < 0.05) and neck torsion (P < 0.05) during lesson time. The intervention did not change fear-avoidance beliefs. There was a trend for decreased pain reports in boys of the intervention group (P < 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention resulted in improved postural aspects related to spinal loading. The long-term effect of improved postural behavior at young age on back pain prevalence later in life is of interest for future research.
RCT Entities:
STUDY DESIGN: A quasi-experimental pre/post design. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of a 2-school-year multifactorial back education program on back posture knowledge and postural behavior in elementary schoolchildren. Additionally, self-reported back or neck pain and fear-avoidance beliefs were evaluated. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Epidemiologic studies report mounting nonspecific back pain prevalence among youngsters, characterized by multifactorial risk factors. Study findings of school-based interventions are promising. Furthermore, biomechanical discomfort is found in the school environment. METHODS: The study sample included 193 intervention children and 172 controls (baseline, 9-to-11-year-olds). The multifactorial intervention consisted of a back education program and the stimulation of postural dynamism in the class through support and environmental changes. Evaluation consisted of a questionnaire, an observation of postural behavior in the classroom, and an observation of material handling during a movement session. RESULTS: The intervention resulted in increased back posture knowledge (P < 0.001), improved postural behavior during material handling (P < 0.001), and decreased duration of trunk flexion (P < 0.05) and neck torsion (P < 0.05) during lesson time. The intervention did not change fear-avoidance beliefs. There was a trend for decreased pain reports in boys of the intervention group (P < 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention resulted in improved postural aspects related to spinal loading. The long-term effect of improved postural behavior at young age on back pain prevalence later in life is of interest for future research.
Authors: Zoe A Michaleff; Steven J Kamper; Christopher G Maher; Roni Evans; Carolyn Broderick; Nicholas Henschke Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2014-07-29 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Spyridoula Vazou; Collin A Webster; Gregory Stewart; Priscila Candal; Cate A Egan; Adam Pennell; Laura B Russ Journal: Sports Med Open Date: 2020-01-06