School-Based Specific Exercise Programme Reduces the Prevalence and Intensity of Low Back Pain in 12-13 Year Old Children: a Randomized Controlled Trial

University of Witwatersrand, South Africa1 site in 1 country72 target enrollmentJanuary 2007

ConditionsLow Back Pain

Overview

Phase: N/A
Intervention: Not specified
Conditions: Low Back Pain
Sponsor: University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Enrollment: 72
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: Low Back Pain Prevalence
Status: Completed
Last Updated: 17 years ago

Overview Investigators Eligibility Criteria Outcomes Sites Similar Trials

Overview

Brief Summary

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.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

January 2007

End Date

October 2007

Last Updated

17 years ago

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Parallel

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

Eligibility Criteria

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Low Back Pain Prevalence

Time Frame: 3 months post-intervention

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.

Low Back Pain Intensity

Time Frame: 3 months post-intervention

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.