Document Detail


School backpacks: it's more than just a weight problem.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20075526     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The objectives of this study were to 1) describe the characteristics of the backpacks used by students 10-18 years of age, 2) describe self reported pain related to backpack use and 3) evaluate the relationship between self reported pain and perceived backpack weight, duration of backpack use and posture when wearing a backpack. A cross-sectional survey of 871 students assessed the features of the backpack carried; the self perceived backpack weight, duration and posture; and any backpack related pain. Results indicate that 99% of students surveyed carry backpacks, 83% carry their backpacks over both shoulders and the presence of adjustable shoulder straps were the most common feature of the backpacks. Half of the students perceive their backpack as heavy and 46% indicate they carry the backpack 10-20 minutes to and from school. Pain attributed to backpack use was reported by 33.5% of the students. Perceived backpack weight, duration of backpack carriage, posture, gender and school district were significantly associated with reported symptoms. Although other socioeconomic and demographic characteristics may contribute to backpack related pain, this study suggests that students perceive a relationship between backpack use, the duration of use, posture and pain supporting the suggestion that simple weight-based controls of backpacks may not be sufficient to eliminate pain perceived as due to backpack use.
Authors:
Nancy R Talbott; Amit Bhattacharya; Kermit G Davis; Rakesh Shukla; Linda Levin
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Work (Reading, Mass.)     Volume:  34     ISSN:  1875-9270     ISO Abbreviation:  Work     Publication Date:  2009  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-01-15     Completed Date:  2010-04-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9204382     Medline TA:  Work     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  481-94     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College, Cincinnati, OH, USA. talbotnr@uc.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Back Pain* / epidemiology,  etiology
Biomechanics
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Lifting / adverse effects
Male
Ohio / epidemiology
Posture
Students
Upper Extremity
Weight-Bearing*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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