Musculoskeletal Pain In Schoolchildren Research Articles

Laboured reading and musculoskeletal pain in school children - the role of lifestyle behaviour and eye wear: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundLifestyle behaviour in children and adolescents has become increasingly sedentary and occupied with digital work. Concurrently, there has been an increase in the prevalence of headache, neck- and low back pain, which are leading causes of disability globally. Extensive near work and use of digital devices are demanding for both the visual system and the upper body head-stabilizing musculature. Uncorrected vision problems are present in up to 40% of Nordic school children, and a lack of corrective eye wear may cause eyestrain, musculoskeletal pain and headache. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between laboured reading, musculoskeletal pain, uncorrected vision, and lifestyle behaviours in children and adolescents.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with a total of 192 Norwegian school children aged 10–11 and 15–16 years. As a part of a school vision testing program, the children completed an online questionnaire about general and ocular health, socioeconomic status, academic ambition, near work and related symptoms, upper body musculoskeletal pain, and physical and outdoor activities.ResultsThe 15–16-year-olds had a more indoor, sedentary, digital-based lifestyle with higher academic demands, compared with the 10–11-year-olds. Concurrently, reading became more laboured and upper body musculoskeletal pain increased with age. Girls reported more symptoms, higher academic ambitions, and more time spent on schoolwork and reading, compared with boys. Non-compliance in wearing prescribed eye wear (glasses or contact lenses), increased use of near digital devices, and experiencing visual stress (glare) were positively associated with laboured reading and upper body musculoskeletal pain.ConclusionsA screen-based lifestyle with high academic demands challenges the ability to sustain long hours of static, intensive near work. Extensive near work tires the visual system and upper body musculature and provokes laboured reading and musculoskeletal pain symptoms. This study emphasizes the importance of regular eye examinations in school children, and the need to raise awareness among children, parents, and school- and health personnel about the importance of optimal vision and visual environment for academic performance and health.

Identification of factors related to behaviors associated with musculoskeletal pain among elementary students

BackgroundMusculoskeletal pains are among evident health problems in children and adolescents. Backpack carrying behaviors and the sitting postures are among behavioral factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors related to these important musculoskeletal behaviors, using Health Promotion Models.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was created based on PRECEDE Model and Health Belief Model and was administered to 673 Iranian students, whom were selected randomly from elementary schools of Hamadan, Iran, in 2018.ResultsThe findings of the study revealed that proper sitting postures and backpack carrying were 42 and 33%, respectively. The findings also showed that predisposing factors including perceived susceptibility (p < 0.05, β = 0.219), perceived severity (p < 0.05, β = 0.166), perceived barriers (p < 0.05, β = − 0.191), perceived self-efficacy (p < 0.05, β = 0.188) and also enabling factors (p < 0.05, β = 0.329) were significantly related to sitting behaviors. Moreover, backpack carrying behaviors had significant relationships with predisposing factors of perceived susceptibility (p < 0.05, β = 0.198), perceived barriers (p < 0.05, β = − 0.258), perceived self-efficacy (p < 0.05, β = 0.185) and reinforcing factors (p < 0.05, β = 0.208).ConclusionsIt seems necessary for future preventive programs to take factors of musculoskeletal pains among children and adolescents into account.

Headache and musculoskeletal pain in school children are associated with uncorrected vision problems and need for glasses: a case\u2013control study

Musculoskeletal pain and headache are leading causes of years lived with disability, and an escalating problem in school children. Children spend increasingly more time reading and using digital screens, and increased near tasks intensify the workload on the precise coordination of the visual and head-stabilizing systems. Even minor vision problems can provoke headache and neck- and shoulder (pericranial) pain. This study investigated the association between headaches, pericranial tenderness, vision problems, and the need for glasses in children. An eye and physical examination was performed in twenty 10–15 year old children presenting to the school health nurse with headache and pericranial pain (pain group), and twenty age-and-gender matched classmates (control group). The results showed that twice as many children in the pain group had uncorrected vision and needed glasses. Most children were hyperopic, and glasses were recommended mainly for near work. Headache and pericranial tenderness were significantly correlated to reduced binocular vision, reduced distance vision, and the need for new glasses. That uncorrected vision problems are related to upper body musculoskeletal symptoms and headache, indicate that all children with these symptoms should have a full eye examination to promote health and academic performance.

Effect of Schoolbag Weight on Musculoskeletal Pain among Primary School Children in Yaounde, Cameroon: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Heavy schoolbag is known to cause health problems for school children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of carrying heavy schoolbags on the musculoskeletal pain among primary school children of the two subsystems in Yaounde, Cameroon.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in primary schools in Yaounde. A total of 457 school-children (8.2 ± 2.2 years) were included, 202 from the French-speaking subsystem, and 255 from the English-speaking subsystem. Parameters studied included weight, height, and schoolbag weight. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and potential musculoskeletal pain in three regions: back, shoulders, and neck.&#x0D; Results: The mean weight of children and their bags was 28.4 ± 8.2 kg and 5.2 ± 2.3 kg respectively. More than 50% of schoolchildren in the two subsystems carried a schoolbag weighing more than 15% of body weight. The back (38%) was the least affected area in comparison to the shoulders (58.6%) and neck (42.4%) (p &lt; 0.001). Carrying heavy bags and walking to school was associated with pain in the back, shoulders, and neck. School-children in the French-speaking subsystem had lower risk (adjusted Odds Ratio 0.438, 95% CI = 0.295-0.651; p &lt; 0.001) to develop a sore neck compared to peers from the English-speaking subsystem.&#x0D; Conclusion: Carrying heavy schoolbags is associated to musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren. The means moving to and from school is a main risk factor of developing musculoskeletal pain. French-speaking schoolchildren develop less neck pain than English-speaking schoolchildren.

Evidence- based Management Options for Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Pain in Schoolchildren.

Introduction:Children of school age (8-15 years) have a significant prevalence of non-specific musculoskeletal pain (from 11 to 38%, in our country as much as 48%), which represents a neglected public health problem without adequate preventive interventions. Health workers have little empirical evidence to support their clinical practice in deciding on intervention measures and treating this pain.Aim:The aim of this review article is to expand knowledge of the management of nonspecific musculoskeletal pain in school children based on the evidence.Material and Methods:The systematic review of literature was carried out at Biomed Central, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases in search of relevant evidence supporting the research goal.Results:A total of 564 publications were reviewed and 523 were considered irrelevant. The remaining 47 publications were assessed as potentially relevant, and among them 39 did not meet the criteria for inclusion and exclusion. Therefore, 9 publications met the necessary criteria for further analysis.Conclusion:There is little evidence to create an integrative program of intervention measures and treatment of musculoskeletal pain in school children. Based on scarce number of proofs shown in this research, no conclusive solutions have been reached, necessitating a need for further research.

The Site of Musculoskeletal Pain in School Children with Excessive Body Weight and Obesity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Introduction:The number of school age children with excessive body weight and perception of musculoskeletal pain is on the rise.Aim:The aim of this study is to identify the most common sites of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in school children with excessive body weight and obesity.Methods:A survey included 1315 children aged 9-14 years from September 2016 to January 2017 in the Primary schools of Canton Tuzla. The weight and height were measured for each subject based on which a body mass index was determined and two groups were categorized: a group of children with excessive BMI and obesity (N = 406), and the remaining respondents were part of the control group. The Nordic questionnaire was utilized to examine places of perception of musculoskeletal pain experienced by children in the preceding 7 days (acute) or preceding 1 year (chronic pain).Results:Prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children is 31% (significantly higher in boys than in girls, 38%: 25%). The incidence of acute and chronic pain in children with normal BMI 49% is significantly higher than in excessive BMI 45% or in children with overweight 39.1%. Obesity and overweight are risk factors for the development of nonspecific musculoskeletal pain (OR = 1.161, 95% CI, 1.020-1.322). The most common places for chronic pain associated with overweight and obesity are neck (OR = 1.212, 95% CI, 0.893-1.644) and knee (OR = 1.103, 95% CI, 0.690-1.760). While the most common place of acute pain is knee (OR = 1.127 , 95% CI, 0.673-1.890).Conclusion:The relationship between excessive body weight and chronic musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in the neck and knees indicates the cumulative effect of exposure to excessive body weight and obesity in BiH school children.

Prevalence and patterns of musculoskeletal pain among school students in Puducherry and its association with sociodemographic and contextual factors

Background: Limited data exist in India regarding burden of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in school children. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and patterns of MSP, to find out the association of sociodemographic and contextual factors with MSP, and to report the association of MSP-related characteristics and bag weight with school attendance. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 7th and 8th grade students of a private school in urban Puducherry. Students who could ambulate independently and stand on the weighing scale were included in this study. Previously diagnosed self-reported pathological causes of MSP were excluded from the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Height and weight were measured along with weight of student's backpack. Results: A total of 327 students were enrolled, majority (67%) being boys. Mean age of participants was 12.7 (standard deviation ±0.7) years. About 86% (282 out of 327) participants had experienced MSP in the preceding 2 weeks. Shoulders, neck, and knees were the parts reported to have maximum pain, i.e., in 43.6%, 39%, and 34.8% of the participants, respectively. A high proportion, i.e., 96% of the school bags weighed more than 10% of body weight. Significant association of MSP was found with participants' grade of study (P = 0.04), perception of bag weight (P = 0.01), comfort level of carrying bag (P < 0.01), and duration of carrying bag (P < 0.01). Factors such as pain affecting daily activities (P < 0.01) and number of health-care consultations (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with school attendance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of MSP in school children was high. Associated sociodemographic and contextual factors should be addressed urgently.

AB0668 Joint hypermobility, growing pains and obesity are mutually exclusive as causes of musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren

BackgroundChronic Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is common in children and can be due to several non-inflammatory conditions such as the Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) and Growing Pains (GP). Since these...

Low back pain at school: unique risk deriving from unsatisfactory grade in maths and school-type recommendation

Psychosocial stress and pain may relate to educational selection. At the end of primary school (International Standard Classification of Education: ISCED level 1) children are recommended for one of three performance-based lower secondary level types of school (ISCED level 2). The study examines the association of educational selection and other risk factors with pain in the upper back (UBP), lower back pain (LBP), peripheral (limb) pain (PP), and abdominal pain (AP). Teacher reports of unsatisfactory grades in mathematics, and official school-type recommendation are included as objective psychosocial risk factors. One hundred and ninety-two schoolchildren, aged between 10 and 13 from 11 classes of 7 schools in Switzerland participated in the cross-sectional study. In logistic regression analysis, predictor variables included age, sex, BMI, participation in sport, physical mobility, weight of satchel, hours of daily TV, video, and computer use, pupils' back pain reported by the mother and father, psychosocial strain, unsatisfactory grade in mathematics, and school-type recommendation. Analysis of pain drawings was highly reliable and revealed high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal pain in the last 4weeks (UBP 15.3%, LBP 13:8%, PP 33.9%, AP 20.1%). Psychosocial risk factors were uniquely significant predictors of UBP (psychosocial strain), LBP (psychosocial strain, unsatisfactory grade in mathematics, school-type recommendation), and AP (school-type recommendation). In conclusion, selection in terms of educational school system was uniquely associated with LBP in schoolchildren. Stress caused by educational selection should be addressed in primary prevention of musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren.

Poster 292: Musculoskeletal Pain in Schoolchildren Aged Between 13 and 15 Years

Poster 292: Musculoskeletal Pain in Schoolchildren Aged Between 13 and 15 Years

Joint hypermobility and its relationship to musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study

Objectives:To determine if joint hypermobility is associated with musculoskeletal pain in a population of Italian schoolchildren.Design:Cross-sectional, school-based study, using a pretested questionnaire administered to schoolchildren to enquire about musculoskeletal pain...

An ergonomic study of chronic musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren

Schoolchildren developing chronic musculoskeletal pain from carrying heavy backpacks (hereafter referred to as "pain") is a worldwide issue. The present study of two cohorts, consisting of 248 Indian and 103 American schoolchildren aged 9.0 to 20.6 years, using a semi-objective pain criteria, sought to answer the questions: Can pain be correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI), Weight Carried, Strength, Mood or Body Fat? What are the similarities and differences between the Indian and American schoolchildren in the above context? After obtaining parental consent, the schoolchildren completed a questionnaire. Then, they were weighed with and without carry-on items and their height as recorded. Isometric arm and shoulder strengths were measured using the Jackson Strength Tester. Using a Skinfold Caliper, skinfold thicknesses at the right triceps and calf was measured. Using the Borg Pain Scale the students assessed the pain experienced from their own backpacks, rated the acute pain experienced while carrying a standard 10 kg. or 7 kg. backpack. Half the schoolchildren reported pain located primarily in the shoulders and back (where most students carry their backpacks). Pain did not correlate with study variables (p > 0.05), and the student moods were mostly happy or neutral. Americans are five times as stressed or sad than the Indians, and the average weight carried decreased as the grade increased. The mean of the age, height, arm and shoulder strengths, and BMI for the 5th to 8th grade schoolchildren (younger groups) and the 9th to 12th grade schoolchildren (older groups), in India, was lower than their American counterparts (p < 0.05). In contrast, the weight carried to school by the Indian children was higher (p < 0.05). The mean pain level perceived by both the younger and older groups in both countries, was not statistically different (p > 0.05). Musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren due to carrying heavy backpacks is a significant problem. There are some similarities, but a number of differences between the Indian and American schoolchildren. Implementing the Pain Prevention Screening is expected to minimize pain, if not lead to a pain-free child.

Musculoskeletal Pain in School Children

Children carrying heavy backpacks to school is slowly gaining visibility. The objective of this study was to determine if middle school children carrying backpacks, musical instruments, sports and personal items to school, develop musculoskeletal pain? If so, what would be a safe weight to carry? Presently, there are no standards on the safe weight for a school child to carry. However, medical professionals and ergonomists have recommended “common sense” guidelines - “Children should not carry more than 10 to 20 % of their body weight”. A subjective criteria using the mid-point of 15%, was used as the Reference Standard for this study. Students aged 11.1 to 14.5 yr. were studied after obtaining parental consent. They provided information about their carrying habits, and subjective musculoskeletal pain locations. They were weighed with and without carry-on items. The results showed that about 60% of the schoolchildren have musculoskeletal pain, located primarily in the neck, shoulders and back. The data is statistically inconclusive on the safe carry-on weight. A detailed study of all the variables affecting pain, using an objective pain criteria should be conducted to develop the safe carry-on weight.