Influence of Fun Physical Activities on Neck Pain and Posture in Children

Overview

Neck pain is becoming increasingly common in school-aged children, mainly due to prolonged use of electronic devices and poor posture (especially forward head posture), often referred to as "text neck syndrome." Other contributing factors include sedentary lifestyles, heavy school bags, and rapid growth during adolescence. While this issue has been widely studied in adults and teenagers, research focusing on younger children is limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of fun-game activities, cervical stretching exercises, and postural education in reducing neck pain and improving posture among school-going children.

This study will utilize a controlled trial design. Data collection will take place at two educational institutions in Sialkot: The Spirit School and the Concept School System, located on Paris Road .It will be conducted over duration of eight weeks. A total of fourteen school-going teenagers with forward neck posture and neck pain will be selected. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. Group A, the intervention group, will receive a structured cervical stretching and posture education program titled "fun-game activities" for eight weeks, with sessions conducted three days per week, each lasting 30 minutes. The exercise program will include a combination of warm-up activities, neck-specific and postural strengthening exercises (such as chin tucks, wall angels, tree pose, plank on knees, and balloon reach), and engaging cool-down or game-based tasks to maintain student motivation. Exercises will progress in complexity every two weeks to enhance cervical mobility and postural control. Group B will serve as the control group and will continue with baseline and their routine daily activities. Non-probability convenient sampling will be followed. The inclusion criteria for participation include teenagers of either gender with forward neck posture and associated neck pain. Exclusion criteria such as scoliosis, pain resulting from injuries like fractures, or having had undergone any surgical procedures. Data will be collected using three validated tools: a goniometer to measure cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending), the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to assess functional limitations due to neck pain, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate pain intensity.