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Low Back Pain Prevalence among Distance Learning Students

Author

Listed:
  • Mohannad Hawamdeh

    (Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
    Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba 77110, 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
    Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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 & Majed Albadi, 2022. "Low Back Pain Prevalence among Distance Learning Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:342-:d:1014988
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Šagát & Peter Bartík & Pablo Prieto González & Dragoș Ioan Tohănean & Damir Knjaz, 2020. "Impact of COVID-19Quarantine on Low Back Pain Intensity, Prevalence, and Associated Risk Factors among Adult Citizens Residing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Tae-sung In & Jin-hwa Jung & Kyoung-sim Jung & Hwi-young Cho, 2021. "Spinal and Pelvic Alignment of Sitting Posture Associated with Smartphone Use in Adolescents with Low Back Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Deepashini Harithasan & Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh & Nur Aqilah Binti Abd Razak & Nadirah Binti Baharom, 2022. "Personal, Academic Stressors and Environmental Factors Contributing to Musculoskeletal Pain among Undergraduates Due to Online Learning: A Mixed Method Study with Data Integration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Federico Roggio & Bruno Trovato & Silvia Ravalli & Michelino Di Rosa & Grazia Maugeri & Antonino Bianco & Antonio Palma & Giuseppe Musumeci, 2021. "One Year of COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Effect of Sedentary Behavior on Physical Activity Levels and Musculoskeletal Pain among University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Karuthan Chinna & Sheela Sundarasen & Heba Bakr Khoshaim & Kamilah Kamaludin & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Gul Mohammad Baloch & Syed Far Abid Hossain & Areej Sukayt & Nevi Dalina & Usha Rajagopalan & Ramesh, 2021. "Psychological impact of COVID-19 and lock down measures: An online cross-sectional multicounty study on Asian university students," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Magdalena Janc & Zbigniew Jozwiak & Agnieszka Jankowska & Teresa Makowiec-Dabrowska & Jolanta Kujawa & Kinga Polanska, 2023. "Ergonomics of E-Learning Workstations and the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders—Study among University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-10, February.

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