Abstract
Background
To assess if an educational intervention is effective to reduce backpack weight and back pain in schoolchildren.
Methods
We designed an intervention study in schoolchildren aged between 12 and 16 years aimed to reduce the weight of backpacks and back pain. The intervention was multifaceted, including an educational intervention with practical examples, advising on performing sports, postural habits, leaflets, stickers, and so on. The comparison group did not receive any intervention.
Results
A total of 1668 schoolchildren took part in the study. We observed a high prevalence of carrying heavy backpacks, with 66–80% of schoolchildren carrying backpacks surpassing 10% of their body weight. Back pain prevalence was 30%. We observed that the intervention was significant in reducing the backpack weight in first-year schoolchildren but not in second-year. The intervention was also significant in reducing back pain in third-year schoolchildren but only in girls.
Conclusion
This study shows that an inexpensive intervention directed to reduce the backpack weight and back pain might have a positive effect in schoolchildren.
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All authors have contributed equally to the study design. Statistical analysis has been performed by MISP and MPR. Questionnaire supervision was performed by P.R.-O. and A.R.-R. All authors have provided intellectual input to different drafts of the present manuscript. All authors have approved the submitted version of the manuscript and take public responsibility of its content.
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Rodríguez-Oviedo, P., Santiago-Pérez, M.I., Pérez-Ríos, M. et al. Backpack weight and back pain reduction: effect of an intervention in adolescents. Pediatr Res 84, 34–40 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0013-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0013-0
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