Musculoskeletal Pain, Related Factors, and Posture Profiles Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study From Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate musculoskeletal pain due to mechanical reasons and related risk factors in adolescents and to define posture profiles of adolescents. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The study was conducted with 2221 adolescents between February 2015 and May 2015. The questionnaire used to collect data consisted of three parts: (1) descriptive characteristics of the participants, (2) pain assessment of 14 parts of the body, and (3) Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument (BackPEI). Results: The prevalence of low back pain among the participants was 73.3% (n ¼ 1,343), while the prevalence of back pain was 68.4% (n ¼ 1,254). The participants attributed their pain to their poor sitting postures at school (38.1%, n ¼ 847) and carrying school backpacks (84.1%, n ¼ 1,713). There was a statistically significant difference in the physical activities of adolescents and the BackPEI score (z ¼ 4.40; p ¼ .001). Posture factors of the BackPEI score increased while school desk comfort score increased (Spearman's rho ¼ 0.148; p ¼ .001), but it decreased while the school grades of the adolescents increased (Spearman's rho [r] ¼ À0.161; p ¼ .001). Conclusions: According to this study, body posture was related to musculoskeletal pain and was correlated with physical activities, school desk comfort, and school grades of the adolescents. It is suggested that correct posture and ergonomic positions should be taught to adolescents when using computers, carrying school backpacks, and sitting in school chairs to prevent musculoskeletal pain.

Increased Computer Use is Associated with Trunk Asymmetry That Negatively Impacts Health-Related Quality of Life in Early Adolescents

“…The inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were determined following a literature review. 17,37 The eligibility criteria included the ability to 1) maintain a standing position without help, 2) understand and comply with instructions, 3) read and write in Chinese, and 4) complete the questionnaire properly. Early adolescents with known diagnoses of musculoskeletal or developmental disorders that may affect the spinal curvature, surgical intervention of the spine, or mental and/or psychological disabilities were excluded.…”

“…They were also asked to complete a customized questionnaire on potential factors that have been investigated in previous studies on postural abnormalities. 6,9,[15][16][17][18][19][20] All data were collected in the presence of the early adolescents' parents or guardians. All early adolescents participated voluntarily, and informed assent and written informed consent for participation were obtained from the early adolescents and their parents, respectively, prior to the study.…”

“…All of the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire on demographic information and daily activities customized for this research that gathered data on age, height, body weight, school-bag weight and various daily activities that may affect upper body posture based on previous studies. 6,9,[15][16][17][18][19][20] For daily activities, the participants were asked to rate the average daily duration over the past week spent (1) using a computer; The scales for the average daily duration spent performing these activities were adapted from the study by Kratěnová et al, 9 in which early adolescents spent an average of less than 1 hour per day performing physical exercise and an average of 2 hours per day watching TV or using the computer. The questionnaire has been used in our studies, 56,57 in which the scales generally achieved a normal distribution for the data being collected.…”

“…Demographic characteristics such as increasing age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and amount of physical activity, including reduced levels of physical activity and extended periods of time in a seated position, have commonly been reported as risk factors for postural abnormalities in children and adolescents. 6,9,[15][16][17] For example, being obese or underweight has been found to likely contribute to incorrect 18 or poor posture. 9 Children and adolescents who do not play sports or who spend their leisure time in passive activities are more likely to have poor posture compared with those who play sports regularly or spend their leisure time actively.…”

“…35,36 We hypothesized that early adolescents with trunk asymmetry have a poorer health-related quality of life than those without asymmetry, with the probability of trunk asymmetry being higher among early adolescents who use computers and smartphones for longer durations. Moreover, potential factors that have been investigated in previous studies on postural abnormalities, 6,9,[15][16][17][18][19][20]…”