Active Break Intervention on Low Back Pain and Musculoskeletal Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting Among Young People

The most recent evidence showed that the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019, National Institutes of Health) pandemic caused an increase in low back pain (LBP) prevalence and intensity among young people. This may be explained by the prolonged sitting time, next to reduced level of physical activity. Young people spend most of their time in a sitting position while studying (in school class, during homework) and using electronic devices (using the computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablets, or watching TV), and now using e-learning methods. E-learning, and thus prolonged sitting, is a topic that returned to higher education at the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year because of the current energy crisis. Re-education on sitting posture is a common aspect of LBP management. Physiotherapists recommend many different sitting positions to prevent and treat the negative effects of prolonged sitting. However, there is debate regarding what is an optimal sitting posture. Studies showed that sitting posture with the backrest on the chair induced minimal changes in lumbar lordosis and significantly lesser pain compared to other types of the chair. Even though the sitting posture will be followed by proper ergonomic principles, every position (lordotic or kyphotic) maintained for a prolonged time leads to discomfort and soft tissue symptoms. Studies showed that body perceived discomfort scores increased over time during sitting and after 30 min of sitting is significantly greater than those at baseline. Currently, breaks are recommended for mitigating the adverse of prolonged sitting, but more evidence is needed to verify effectiveness of breaks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of active break on reduce LBP and perceived musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting in young people with LBP. Optimal combination of sitting and breaks will help to develop ergonomic recommendations for young people. Main research outcomes - exercise protocol and intervention - will be developed to match the needs of young people with LBP and the possibilities of the environment, in order to reduce LBP and musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting, and consequently, maintain health and quality of life. The intervention will address the social and health needs of a particular social group: young people, with the possibility of extending the recommendations to other groups.

Background:

Young people tend to spend most of their time in sitting position while studying (in the school class, during homework) and using the electronic devices (using the computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablets or watching TV). Moreover, during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019, National Institutes of Health) pandemic, many countries switched their teaching programs into e-learning, where students spend long hour using electronic devices. Now e-learning methods have been often used, not only during pandemic. The current energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, is causing e-learning back to educational institutions. However this change in learning methods is associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction including low back pain (LBP). Low back pain was one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders and today it is known that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence and intensity of LBP. This may be explained by the prolonged sitting time, next to reduced level of physical activity. Most people sit for a long hours in a slumped sitting posture. Prolonged sitting causes changes in the passive structures of the spine and induces a low back compressive load significantly higher than that observed in standing. Physiotherapists recommend many different sitting positions to prevent and treat negative effects of prolonged sitting. However, there is debate regarding what is an optimal sitting posture. Periodic rest breaks have been identified as a way to reduce self-report discomfort at the low back and a standing breaks may be beneficial for the passive tissues of the spine. A combination of sitting and standing is beneficial for reducing musculoskeletal discomfort.

Research aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of active break on reduce LBP and perceived musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting in young people with LBP.

Methods:

This will be a randomized controlled study with pre and post-intervention assessment. The participants will be recruited from students. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group consisting of an active break (n = 25) or the control group (n = 25). The group with an active break with postural change from sitting to standing will be recommended to take an active break for every 30 minutes of sitting. The primary outcome will be average pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Index and perceived musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting (Borg scale) and The Global Perceived Effect (7-point Likert scale). Secondary outcome will Post-Intervention Questionnaire (5-item self-completed questionnaire).

Expected outcomes:

Research outcomes - exercise protocol and intervention - will be developed to match the needs of young people with LBP and the possibilities of the environment, in order to reduce LBP and musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting, and consequently, maintain health and quality of life. The intervention will address the social and health needs of a particular social group: young people, with the possibility of extending the recommendations to other groups. Research outcomes will build evidence-based practice for students, teachers, health professionals, personal trainers, and family doctors.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 to 25 years of age;
* participants with non-specific low back pain (defined as pain and discomfort localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds), pain of at least 3 months' duration, without radiation to legs;
* participants who did not have a surgical history due to spinal problems;
* participants who did not have radiculopathy or other injuries such as fractures, stenosis or tumors in the spine;
* participants who had not received any treatment related to low back within the last six months;
* participants who had not used medication for low back pain in the last three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* spinal pathology (eg, tumor, infection, fracture, inflammatory disease),
* patients with disc herniation and leg length discrepancy;
* pregnancy,
* nerve root compromise,
* previous spinal surgery,
* major surgery scheduled during treatment or follow-up period,
* presence of any contraindication to exercise.