Postural Reeducation to Improve Spinal Posture and Pain in Adolescents Who Use Digital Screens

NCT07380048 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 04-181233
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 187
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether a postural reeducation program could improve spinal posture and reduce musculoskeletal pain in adolescents who frequently use digital devices. Prolonged screen use is common among students and is often associated with inadequate sitting or standing postures, which may increase back and neck pain. A total of 187 adolescents participated in the study. Students were assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a 12-week intervention integrated into the warm-up phase of Physical Education classes, while the control group continued with the usual warm-up used in these classes. The experimental group performed two sessions per week, each lasting 15 minutes, at the beginning of the class. Initially, students completed strength and mobility exercises for the spine and shoulder girdle. From the third week onward, active global stretching postures were added to improve flexibility and postural control. Spinal posture was assessed at baseline and after the intervention using a noninvasive device (SpinalMouse®). Pain and postural habits were evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Adolescents who participated in the postural reeducation program showed improvements in postural alignment and functional mobility, as well as reductions in back and neck pain, compared with the control group. This study suggests that a brief school-based postural reeducation program may be an effective preventive strategy to promote spinal health and reduce musculoskeletal pain in adolescents.

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Pain

Keywords

Adolescent; Body Posture; Physical Education; Global Postural Reeducation; Back Pain; Electronic Devices

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in sagittal spinal curvature (thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis)

  Sagittal spinal posture will be assessed using the Spinal Mouse® device at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 14 weeks (post-intervention). Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles will be recorded in degrees (°). The outcome will be expressed as the difference in angular values between baseline and post-intervention and compared between the intervention and control groups.

  Baseline and 14 weeks (post-intervention)

• Change in thoracic and lumbar range of motion

  Thoracic and lumbar range of motion (ROM) will be assessed using the Spinal Mouse® device at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 14 weeks (post-intervention), during maximum trunk flexion. ROM will be recorded as a global angular value in degrees (°). The outcome will be expressed as the difference in angular values between baseline and post-intervention and compared between the intervention and control groups.

  Baseline and 14 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in low back pain intensity (BackPEI-CA)

  Baseline and 14 weeks (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Arm 1 - Experimental

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive a 12-week postural reeducation program integrated into Physical Education classes. The program includes strength and mobility exercises for the spine and shoulder girdle and active global stretching postures designed to improve flexibility and postural control. Sessions are delivered twice per week for 15 minutes at the beginning of the class.

Behavioral: Postural Reeducation Program

Arm 2 - Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants assigned to the control group will follow their usual Physical Education classes and standard warm-up routines. They will not receive any specific postural reeducation program or additional structured exercises beyond the regular school curriculum.

Interventions

Postural Reeducation Program BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral: Postural Reeducation program The intervention consists of a 12-week school-based program integrated into Physical Education classes. Students perform two 15-minute sessions per week including strengthening and mobility exercises for the spine and shoulder girdle, followed by active global stretching postures aimed at improving flexibility and postural control.

Also known as: Active Global Stretching, School physical education postural program

Arm 1 - Experimental

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 15 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 13 and 15 years.
• Students enrolled in lower secondary education.
• Regular participation in Physical Education classes.
• Absence of recent musculoskeletal injuries.
• Absence of medical conditions limiting physical activity.
• Completion of the baseline questionnaire.
• Written informed consent signed by legal guardians.

You may not qualify if:

• Special educational needs preventing participation in the intervention.
• Medical contraindication for participation in Physical Education classes.
• Recent musculoskeletal injury or condition limiting exercise participation.
• Lack of informed consent.
• Failure to complete baseline or post-intervention assessments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Vigo: lead

Study Sites (1)

Agrupamento de Escolas D. Maria II

Vila Nova de Famalicão, 4760, Portugal

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Pain; Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Águeda Gutiérrez-Sánchez, PhD

  University of Vigo - Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Ercília Oliveira-Costa, PhD Student

  University of Vigo - Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study. Neither participants nor investigators were blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator (PhD Student)

Model Details: Participants were assigned to two parallel groups: an experimental group receiving a 12-week postural reeducation program and a control group performing the usual Physical Education warm-up. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 27, 2025
• First Posted: February 2, 2026
• Study Start: January 22, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 10, 2024
• Study Completion: May 10, 2024
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PT (1)