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Neck and Low Back Pain in Physical Therapy Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
Sponsor: The University of The West Indies
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of neck and low back pain among physical therapy students enrolled at The University of the West Indies, Mona. It also aims to assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding spine health and to evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week standardised spine-specific exercise programme in reducing musculoskeletal pain and improving functional status among those reporting symptoms. The study will be conducted in two phases, beginning with a descriptive cross-sectional assessment of prevalence, followed by a prospective randomised controlled trial in which students experiencing neck and/or low back pain will be allocated to either a spine-specific exercise intervention group or a non-spine-specific exercise control group for comparative analysis of outcomes.
Official title: The Prevalence of Neck and Low Back Pain With a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Spine-Specific and Non-Spine Specific Exercise Interventions in Physical Therapy Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica: A Two-Phase Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
Any - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2026-04-01
Completion Date
2027-03-31
Last Updated
2026-02-24
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
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 receive a non-spine specific exercise program provided in a handout. The interventional group (Group B) will be asked to keep the standardised spine-specific 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.
Spine Exercise Program (Group B)
The standardised spine-specific exercise program will be provided in a handout and given only to the intervention group (Group B), and will include specific spine 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 and referred for evaluation and treatment if necessary.
Locations (1)
Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex, University of The West Indies-Mona Campus
Kingston, Jamaica