Exercise for Low Back Pain in Children

University of Witwatersrand, South Africa72 enrolled

Overview

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of an eight-week specific exercise programme in reducing self-reported episodes and intensity of LBP, as well as modifying some of the identified risk factors for LBP, in children.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Interventions

exercise programmeOTHER

Specific low back pain exercise programme for children

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 12 YearsMax age: 13 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 12-13 years * Complained of LBP in the past three months Exclusion Criteria: * Serious spinal pathologies or deformities (e.g. severe scoliosis, spinal tumours) * Neurological conditions which alter motor tone * Physical disabilities (e.g. spinal cord injuries) which prevent the child from being able to stand up on their own without an orthotic device or brace, or which prevent the child from taking part in normal physical education (PE) classes * Any other serious co-morbidities (e.g. cancer, severe lung pathology) * Provincial sports participants, or children who were currently following a specific training programme with a biokineticist or physiotherapist * Current orthopaedic procedures or fractures of the spine, pelvis, lower or upper limbs

Locations (1)

Government primary schools in the Ekurhuleni West and Johannesburg East Districts of Gauteng

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Low Back Pain Prevalence

All of the children complained of low back pain at baseline. Low back pain prevalence post-intervention was determined by the number of children still complaining of low back pain post-intervention.

Time frame: 3 months post-intervention

Low Back Pain Intensity

The visual analogue scale (standardised 100mm, non-hatched line) was used to determine pain intensity. Scores can range between 0 and 10, with the worst possible pain/score = 10 and no pain/best score = 0. Visual analogue scale is continuous.

Time frame: 3 months post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Neural Mobility

Straight leg raise test was used to measure neural mobility. The amount of hip flexion (angle between the plinth and femur of the raised leg) was measured using a digital inclinometer. Scores ranged between 3 (worst score) and 90.5 (best score). Continuous data.

Time frame: 3 months post-intervention

Hamstring Flexibility

Standardised hamstring muscle length test. The child was positioned in supine, with the hip flexed at 90 degrees. The knee was then extended passively. The angle of knee extension \[from horizontal plane (level to plinth) to fibula\] was measured using a digital inclinometer. Continuous data. Scores ranged from -20 (worst score) to 82 (best score).

Time frame: 3 months post-intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.