Exercise for Low Back Pain in Children

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

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.

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