Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Spinal health in children and adolescents
has global implications, impacting school attendance,
academic performance and physical activity. Effective
school-based interventions are essential for promoting
spinal health literacy, positive behaviours and academic
success.
OBJECTIVES: This review aims to collect data on school based interventions for spinal health in children and
adolescents over the past two decades. It will examine
interventions such as education, exercise and appropriate
furniture, focusing on outcomes including musculoskeletal
pain, posture, sedentary behaviour and academic
performance. Additionally, the review will describe the
psychometric properties and clinical utility of the outcome
measures used in these studies.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The systematic review will
adhere to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, employing
the PICO framework to define criteria for participants,
interventions, comparisons, outcomes and study designs.
Only English studies published between 2004 and 2024
will be included. Relevant databases will be searched
using specific keywords derived from the PICO framework.
The Critical Appraisal Tool and the COSMIN Risk of Bias
tool will be used to evaluate the methodological quality
and risk of bias in the selected studies. Review authors
will independently assess articles, resolving discrepancies
through consensus. Statistical analyses will be performed
using CADIMA V.2.2.4.2 April 2023.
RESULTS: Data will be collected based on various
outcome measures, evaluated with an approved checklist
and presented through descriptive narratives and
tables. Findings will be disseminated via conference
presentations, Faculty Research Day and publication in
reputable journals.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study will adhere to the
ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki,
ensuring a rigorous approach to minimise bias and
guarantee valid results. Studies will be selected based on
predetermined criteria following a consistent protocol. The
findings will be disseminated through presentations and
publication in peer-reviewed journals.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: The systematic
review protocol is registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42024543258), with a planned date of
commencement from August 2024 to November 2024.
