Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the influence of backpacks on the spine curves, shoulder level, trunk and back pain in schooladolescents.
Methods: 1263 students, aged 12 to 18 years, who carried backpacks over one or both shoulders to the school were asked for dorsal (DP) and/or low back pain (LBP). Kyphometer and Scoliometer were used to measure craniocervical angle (CCA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and shoulder level shift(BL) and biplane trunk deviations. Logistic and multinomial logistic analysis, t-test, Wilcoxon and chi-square tests were used for statistics.
Results: Backpacks decreased CCA (P< 0.001), and increased BL-shift(P< 0.001), and biplane trunk shift (P< 0.03). Girls suffer 6(P=0.001) times more from DP than boys. Students carrying backpacks asymmetrically suffer 3(P=0.035) and 5(P=0.014) more from DP and LBP respectively, than those symmetrically carrying. With increasing BMI decreases the possibility for DP at 10%(P=0.047) and increases at 10%(P=0.046) the possibility for LBP. With increase of BL-shift increases at 26%(P=0.024) DP. With increase of coronal trunk shift increases DP(P=0.011) and LBP(P=0.057). With increasing of sagittal loaded trunk shift increases LBP(P=0.065). In holidays: Girls suffer 3.2 times(P=0.050) more than boys in holidays; Asymmetrically carrying increases 8 times(P=0.006) back pain; Longer backpack carrying increases 2%(P=0.047) back pain; With shift of BL increases at 29.5%(P=0.042) back pain; With increase of coronal trunk shift increases 2.3 times(P=0.054) back pain. From high pain suffer: Girls suffer four times(P=0.015) more than boys; Asymmetrically backpack carrying increases four times(P=0.015) high pain; Increase of frontal trunk shift is associated by high pain three times (P=0.005) more.
Conclusion: Backpack carrying resulted in a forward lean of the upper trunk, and a decrease of cervical lordosis. Asymmetrically backpack carrying forced adolescents to rise the backpack bearing shoulder and simultaneously to shift the upper trunk contralaterally. These changes seem statistically to increase the incidence of back pain in the school period and during the holidays, particularly in girls. It is recommended that schoolchildren carry backpacks symmetrically with two straps.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
