Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2026
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Exercise-Based Interventions for the Management of Low Back Pain in Adolescents in School Settings: A Systematic
Gismael M Tarão1, João Pedro R Afonso1, Alex S Ribeiro2
1Graduate Program in Human Movement and Rehabilitation, Evangelical University of Goiás (UniEVANGÉLICA), Anápolis 75083-515, Brazil.
Background/Objectives:
To synthesize the effects of school-based exercise interventions in adolescents with nonspecific low back pain.
Methods:
PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, PEDro, ScienceDirect, and supplementary sources were searched through 21 May 2026. Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials involving adolescents aged 10-19 years and delivering exercise wholly or substantially within schools were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 1, and findings were synthesized narratively.
Results:
Of 1935 records, two randomized trials and one quasi-experimental controlled trial (194 allocated participants) were included. Fanucchi et al. reported between-group reductions in past-month pain of 2.2 cm on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (95% CI 1.0-3.5) at 3 months and 2.0 cm (95% CI 0.5-3.5) at 6 months; absolute reductions in 3-month low back pain prevalence were 24% (95% CI 4-41) and 40% (95% CI 18-57), respectively. Jones et al. reported a large effect size for pain severity after 8 weeks (ES = 1.47). Javadipour et al. reported favorable pain and motor-function outcomes, but incomplete and internally inconsistent reporting limited interpretation. No study assessed low-back-pain-related disability using a validated instrument. All studies had high risk of bias in at least one domain, most commonly blinding. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis.
Conclusions:
Limited evidence suggests that school-based exercise may reduce pain intensity and pain prevalence over six months and improve selected physical outcomes in adolescents aged 12-15 years. The small, heterogeneous evidence base and risk of bias preclude conclusions or recommendations regarding modality or dosage.
