Back posture education in elementary schoolchildren: a 2-year follow-up study

Abstract

Within the scope of primary prevention regarding back functioning in children, research on the stability of intervention effects is indispensable. Along this line, the transition from childhood to adolescence is an important phase to evaluate the potential stability of intervention effects because of the typically mechanical and psychological demands related to adolescence. The main aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of a back education program at 2-year follow-up, in youngsters aged 13-14 years, on back posture knowledge, fear-avoidance beliefs and self-reported pain. An additional purpose was to evaluate which aspects of postural behavior were integrated in youngsters' lifestyles. At 2-year followup, the study sample included 94 secondary schoolchildren in the intervention group (mean age 13.3 ± 0.8 years) and 101 controls (mean age 13.2 ± 0.7 years). The back posture program that had been implemented for two school years consisted of back education and the stimulation of postural dynamism in the class through support and environmental changes. A questionnaire was completed comparable to the pretest, posttest and follow-up evaluations. The current study demonstrated at 2-year follow-up stability of the improved general (F = 1.590, ns) and specific (F = 0.049, ns) back posture knowledge in children who had received early back posture education. Back posture education did not result in increased fearavoidance beliefs (F = 1.163, ns) or mounting back and/or neck pain reports (F = 0.001, ns). Based on selfreports for postural behavior, youngsters who had received the back posture program in the elementary school curriculum integrated crucial sitting and lifting principles conform to biomechanical favorable postural behavior. The steady intervention effects 2-year postintervention demonstrated that intensive back posture education through the elementary school curriculum is effective till adolescence. Future research on the impact of early school-based back posture promotion in relation to the integration of back posture principles according to a biomechanical favorable lifestyle and back pain prevalence later in life is essential.

Effects of an educational back care program on Brazilian schoolchildren's knowledge regarding back pain prevention

“…The results of similar intervention studies 14,35 show a lower tendency for correct answers for most of the questions directly compared to those of the present study. The greater differences between the studies were found for those questions related to handling of materials and spinal curves.…”

“…During school years, children spend one third of their waking hours at school 9 , an environment that can expose them to ergonomic risk factors including carrying heavy backpacks, sitting postures for prolonged periods, and inadequate furniture [10][11][12][13] . Thus, the school is a potential environment for developing musculoskeletal disorders, as well as implementing back care programs 14 . Various postural deviations, especially of the spine, originate during childhood and adolescence 12,[15][16] , which is a period of rapid musculoskeletal development (growth spurt) and when the spine is more susceptible to deformities 17 .…”

Efeitos de sessões educativas no uso das mochilas escolares em estudantes do ensino fundamental I

“…The life goal of schoolchildren is to play, therefore any pain that deprives them of that is a source of worry 8 . Preventive training programs that combine education and movement have good repercussion as a form of improving posture [9][10][11][12][13][14] . Meta-analyses show evidence of a decrease in chronic low back pain after a training program known as Back School 15,16 .…”

Prevalência de dor músculo esquelética e percepção de hábitos posturais entre estudantes do ensino fundamental

“…Geldhof et al 31 avaliaram um programa educativo que foi aplicado entre os escolares e consistiu de 13 horas de educação das costas com o argumento de promover a boa mecânica corporal e aumentar o dinamismo postural na classe. Os resultados após um ano da intervenção mostraram que 96% dos alunos recordaram das sessões sobre educação das costas e que não houve aumento da lombalgia e ou dor na nuca.…”