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

NCT07177001 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CREC-MN.0228,2024/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

Back Pain; Low Back Pain; Musculoskeletal Pain; Spine Health; Physical Therapy; Physiotherapist Students; Physiotherapy; Rehabilitation; Neck Pain

Keywords

lower back pain; low back pain; neck pain; musculoskeletal pain; spine health; physical therapy students; physiotherapy students; rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ)

  The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire measures the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain, as reported by participants. The individually reported frequency score is then multiplied by the discomfort score and by the interference score to determine overall severity of pain experienced. This tallied score is then classified by severity into: no discomfort (0), mild (1 to 4.5), moderate (5 to 14), severe (15 - 45) and very severe (45 or higher). All participants will complete this assessment upon enrollment, as well as after an eight (8) week period of treatment, to evaluate any changes in their reported scores.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at eight (8) weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Musculoskeletal Problems of Neck and Low back Pain (Questionnaire A)

  Done at the time of enrollment (Baseline)

• Change from Baseline in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Musculoskeletal Problems of Neck and Low Back Pain (Questionnaire B)

  From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

• Change from Baseline in the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

  From Enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Clinical Control (Group A)

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants will complete the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess for perceived pain; as well as Questionnaire A to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of neck or low back pain. Participants who are found to have neck or low back pain will be randomised into two (2) groups: a clinical control group (Group A) and an intervention group (Group B). Group A will be given a non-spine specific exercise program over an eight (8) week period after which time, participants will be reassessed using the CMDQ and NRS, as well as a Questionnaire B to evaluate for changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain.

Behavioral: Clinical Control Group (Group A)

Spine Exercise Program (Group B)

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants will complete the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess for perceived pain; as well as Questionnaire A to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of neck or low back pain. Participants who are found to have neck or low back pain will be randomised into two (2) groups: a clinical control group (Group A) and an intervention group (Group B). Group B will be given a standardised spine-specific exercise program over an eight (8) week period, after which time they will be be reassessed using the CMDQ and NRS, as well as Questionnaire B to evaluate for changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain, having received the intervention.

Behavioral: Spine Exercise Program (Group B)

Interventions

Clinical Control Group (Group A) BEHAVIORAL

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.

Clinical Control (Group A)

Spine Exercise Program (Group B) BEHAVIORAL

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.

Spine Exercise Program (Group B)

Eligibility Criteria

• Gender Eligibility Details: Cisgender men and cisgender women
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• All students enrolled in the Physical Therapy program at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica during the period November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026.
• Individuals who express a willingness to consent to the study.
• Individuals who express a willingness to adhere to the standardised exercise program for the stipulated period.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with a history of having spine surgery.
• Individuals who were previously diagnosed with spine pathology and currently receiving rehabilitation therapy.
• Individuals who express an unwillingness to participate in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of The West Indies: lead
• The University of The West Indies, Mona: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex, University of The West Indies-Mona Campus

Kingston, Jamaica

Location

Related Publications (25)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Back Pain; Low Back Pain; Musculoskeletal Pain; Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Study Officials

• 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.

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Paula UA Dawson, MBBS, Diplomate ABPMR

CONTACT

1-876-927-1297; paula.dawson@uwimona.edu.jm

Shantelle B Peddlar, MBBS

CONTACT

1-876-927-1297; pmrphysiatryclinic@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2025
• First Posted: September 16, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

JA (1)