Physiotherapist-Led School-Based Back-Health Education Program

Effects of a Physiotherapist-Led School-Based Back-Health Education Program on Postural Habits, Physical Activity, Electronic Device Use, and Spinal Pain in Schoolchildren With and Without Symptoms

This study evaluates the effects of a physiotherapist-led, school-based back-health education program delivered in primary school classrooms. The intervention consists of a theoretical-practical workshop focused on postural habits, physical activity, electronic device use, and backpack handling. The study includes schoolchildren with and without spinal pain and assesses changes in spinal pain characteristics, postural behaviors, physical activity patterns, and electronic device use over a three-month period. The main objective is to determine whether this educational program improves back-health behaviors and related outcomes in the school setting.

This study investigates the impact of a physiotherapist-led, school-based back-health education program in primary schoolchildren aged 9 to 11 years. The intervention consists of a classroom-based theoretical-practical workshop delivered by physiotherapists in two 45-minute sessions. The program covers fundamental concepts of spinal anatomy and biomechanics, correct postural habits in daily activities (sitting, standing, sleeping, and rising from bed), safe backpack handling and load distribution, regular physical activity recommendations, and ergonomically appropriate use of electronic devices.

Participants complete a 21-item self-administered questionnaire at baseline and three months after the intervention. The questionnaire includes items addressing spinal pain (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions), pain duration and intensity, postural habits, backpack-related behaviors, physical activity patterns, and electronic device use. The study includes both symptomatic and asymptomatic schoolchildren to evaluate preventive and therapeutic outcomes.

The primary aim is to examine changes in spinal pain prevalence and characteristics following the intervention. Secondary aims include evaluating changes in postural habits, backpack-related behaviors, physical activity frequency and duration, electronic device use, and back-health knowledge. Data analysis compares pre- and post-intervention outcomes using appropriate statistical tests for paired categorical and non-normally distributed variables. The study seeks to determine whether a physiotherapist-led educational intervention implemented within the school curriculum can effectively improve back-health behaviors and modifiable ergonomic risk factors in primary schoolchildren.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acceptance by the school administration and the Parents' Association (AMPA) to participate in the project.
• Commitment from the school administration to ensure that students and teaching staff participating in the project complete the questionnaires on the dates indicated by the research team.
• Students aged 9 to 11 years at the start of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of acceptance from the school administration or AMPA to participate in the study.
• Failure by the school administration to ensure completion of the questionnaires on the scheduled dates.
• Students with cognitive impairments that prevent them from understanding or responding to the questionnaires.