Study of Neck and Low Back Pain and Spine Health in Medical Students at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus Evaluating a Spine Exercise Program for Pain Relief and Prevention

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to identify how common neck and low back pain are among medical students at the University of the West Indies, Mona. It also seeks to understand their knowledge, attitude, and practices related to maintaining good spine health. The study uses a prospective randomized control design to evaluate the effects of a standardized spine exercise program on students experiencing these types of pain. Participants found to have neck or low back pain will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A, the clinical control group, will not receive any intervention during the eight-week period. Group B will follow a standardized spine exercise program that includes basic neck and low back exercises three times a week and brief stretching during prolonged sitting. Both groups will be reassessed after eight weeks using questionnaires and pain scales. All participants will complete surveys assessing musculoskeletal discomfort, pain intensity, and their understanding and practices about spine health. Data collection tools include the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire CMDQ, the Numeric Rating Scale NRS, and specific questionnaires on knowledge and behavior. Participants privacy is protected with assigned study numbers, and data will be securely managed. The main outcome measured is the change in CMDQ scores from enrollment to eight weeks. The total study period spans from October 2018 to December 2026.

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