Neck and Low Back Pain in Medical Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

Summary

The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of neck and low back pain in medical students enrolled at the University of the West Indies, Mona; to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of good spine health and to determine the outcome of a standardised spine exercise program on medical students experiencing neck and low back pain, using a prospective randomised control design.

Conditions

• Back Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Neck Pain Musculoskeletal
• Lower Back Pain
• Spine Health
• Musculoskeletal Pain
• Musculoskeletal Pain Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Clinical Control Group (Group A)

The participants who reported the presence of neck or low back pain and were assigned to the clinical control group (Group A) after randomisation will not receive the intervention of an exercise program. The interventional group (Group B) will be asked to keep the standardised exercise program confidential and not share with the control group (Group A). After eight (8) weeks, Group A participants will receive: the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess for changes in the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; a Questionnaire B, to ascertain any changes in their pain level using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); as well as their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain, without having received any intervention.

BEHAVIORAL

Spine Exercise Program (Group B)

The standardised spine exercise program will be provided in a handout and given only to the intervention group (Group B), and will include simple basic neck or low back exercises to be done three (3) times per week, as well as brief stretching exercises, to be done during periods of sitting for greater than sixty (60) minutes. The selected participants will be asked to comply with instructions on the handout. Participants who experience worsening of their symptoms, or who develop new symptoms will be assessed as having an adverse outcome and will be withdrawn from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of The West Indies, Mona

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• The University of The West Indies

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Paula U. A. Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR · Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-10-01

Primary Completion

2026-01-02

Completion

2026-12-02

Countries

• Jamaica

Study Locations