Is insufficient quantity and quality of sleep a risk factor for neck, shoulder and low back pain? A longitudinal study among adolescents

Abstract

The quantity and quality of adolescents' sleep may have changed due to new technologies. At the same time, the prevalence of neck, shoulder and low back pain has increased. However, only a few studies have investigated insufficient quantity and quality of sleep as possible risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among adolescents. The aim of the study was to assess whether insufficient quantity and quality of sleep are risk factors for neck (NP), shoulder (SP) and low back pain (LBP). A 2-year followup survey among adolescents aged 15-19 years was (2001)(2002)(2003) carried out in a subcohort of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 1,773). The outcome measures were 6-month period prevalences of NP, SP and LBP. The quantity and quality of sleep were categorized into sufficient, intermediate or insufficient, based on average hours spent sleeping, and whether or not the subject suffered from nightmares, tiredness and sleeping problems. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for having musculoskeletal pain were obtained through logistic regression analysis, adjusted for previously suggested risk factors and finally adjusted for specific pain status at 16 years. The 6-month period prevalences of neck, shoulder and low back pain were higher at the age of 18 than at 16 years. Insufficient quantity or quality of sleep at 16 years predicted NP in both girls (OR 4.4; CI 2.2-9.0) and boys (2.2; 1.2-4.1). Similarly, insufficient sleep at 16 years predicted LBP in both girls (2.9; 1.7-5.2) and boys (2.4; 1.3-4.5), but SP only in girls (2.3; 1.2-4.4). After adjustment for pain status, insufficient sleep at 16 years predicted significantly only NP (3.2; 1.5-6.7) and LBP (2.4; 1.3-4.3) in girls. Insufficient sleep quantity or quality was an independent risk factor for NP and LBP among girls. Future studies should test whether interventions aimed at improving sleep characteristics are effective in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal pain.

Are Sleep Problems a Risk Factor for the Onset of Musculoskeletal Pain in Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review

“…Overall, 10 findings were reported, with 2 findings 34,38 showing that children with poor sleep quality are significantly at higher risk (both findings in the direction of poor sleep quality predictive of musculoskeletal pain), one finding 31 showing mixed evidence, and seven findings 31,[35][36][37]39,40 showing no significant higher risk (please see Table 4 for a full description of effect sizes). When considering only high-quality evidence, similar rates are found (high-quality findings; two studies 34,38 reported significant higher risk, one study 31 mixed, and five findings 31,[35][36][37] no higher risk).…”

“…than one article. Three studies were drawn from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort, [31][32][33] while four studies were drawn from a cohort in southern Finland.…”

Understanding Adolescent Low Back Pain From a Multidimensional Perspective: Implications for Management

“…5 It is thought that the rela tionship is mediated through changes in to show more internalizing behaviors and adolescent boys more externalizing behav iors associated with LBP. These findings support the need to screen for mental and general health status in adolescents pre senting with LBP.…”

Prevalência de hábitos posturais inadequados de escolares do Ensino Fundamental da cidade de Teutônia: um estudo de base populacional

“…Ainda quanto ao avanço da idade, nota-se uma diminuição da quantidade diária de sono (TABELA 3), fato que coloca os escolares de Teutônia em situação de risco, pois tem sido referido, preliminarmente, que quantidades insuficientes de sono (PAANANEN et al, 2010), aliadas ao cansaço, dificuldades em adormecer, acordar no meio da noite, entre outros problemas (AUVINEN et al, 2010), estão associadas às dores musculoesqueléticas.…”