Low Back Pain Prevalence among Distance Learning Students

Mohannad Hawamdeh, Thamer A. Altaim (), Amjad Shallan, Riziq Allah Gaowgzeh, Sakher M. Obaidat, Saad Alfawaz, Saad M. Al-Nassan, Ziyad Neamatallah, Owis Eilayyan, Umar M. Alabasi and Majed Albadi
Additional contact information
Mohannad Hawamdeh: Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Thamer A. Altaim: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
Amjad Shallan: Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Riziq Allah Gaowgzeh: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Sakher M. Obaidat: Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Saad Alfawaz: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Saad M. Al-Nassan: Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Ziyad Neamatallah: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Owis Eilayyan: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
Umar M. Alabasi: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Majed Albadi: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Low back pain as a symptom affects many individuals around the globe regardless of their economic status or sociodemographic characteristics. During the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, students found themselves obligated to sit down for long periods of time. The aim of this current study is to investigate the impact of these prolonged periods of sitting down in front of computers on developing a new episode of low back pain. Methods and Materials: This research adopted an observational cross-section study design. Students who are currently enrolled or had experienced distance learning classes in the last 6 months were eligible to participate. An online-based questionnaire was developed by the investigators through reviewing the literature with relevant objectives. McNemar’s test was used to compare certain variables between two periods before and during online distance learning. We used paired t -tests to compare pain intensity before, during, and after online learning, while a chi-square test was used to investigate correlations between factors influencing low back pain. Results: A total of 84 students participated in the study—46 (54.8%) females and 38 (45.2%) males. Before online distance learning, only 42.9% of participants reported low back pain, while only 20% had a back injury. The mean pain scores before, during, and after online distance learning were (2.85 ± 2.16, 4.79 ± 2.6, and 4.76 ± 2.7), respectively. The pain scores before online learning were significantly lower than pain scores during and after online distance learning ( p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that low back pain prevalence increased among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should study participants’ behavior during the online learning and assess the long-run impact of distance learning among high-school and undergraduate students.

Keywords: low back pain; students; online learning; COVID-19; posture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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