Search

Objective: To evaluate the changes in loads carried, in the model of backpack used and in the way of carrying school backpacks after the implementation of an educational program. Methods: This study was performed on 99 children aged seven to 11 years at elementary school level in a private school in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. The subjects' body mass (kg) and height (cm) and the loads carried in their backpacks (kg) were evaluated. The backpack models and the ways of carrying them were evaluated by filming before and after the intervention. The intervention program consisted of educational sessions offered to the children, parents and teachers. The sessions involved lectures about the spine and about the principles of load carrying. The children also received practical guidance relating to correct postures for load carrying. The children received monthly practical reinforcement for three months. The parents and teachers received reinforcement by means of information flyers and guidance on the school's home page. The data were analyzed by means of two-proportion equality and Wilcoxon statistical tests. The significance level was considered as a=0.05. Results: The use of a two-strap backpack model increased from 46.5% to 60.6% (p=0.046) and carrying it on two shoulders increased from 41.4% to 55.6% (p=0.047). The load carried in the backpacks decreased by 2.66kg (p<0.001) and the ratio between the subject's body mass and the load carried in the backpacks decreased by 7%. With regard to change per category, the number of subjects in the inappropriate group (load carried>15% of the subject's body mass) decreased (p<0.001). Conclusions: The educational sessions promoted changes in backpack use and it was observed a satisfactory adherence to the intervention program proposed. These results demonstrate the importance of Physical Therapy educational programs in schoolchildren's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain is considered a multidimensional experience and is very common in the elderly. The pain locus of control has become essential to understand how the perceptions, expectations and beliefs are related to individual behavior, attitudes, coping and adherence of the elderly with regards to the health conditions and with the proposed treatment. Studies focused on adaptation and reliability of instruments are necessary for health professionals. Objectives: The present study performed the cross-cultural adaptation of the Pain Locus of Control Scale (C form of Multidimensional Health Locus of Control) for Brazil and assessed its intra and inter-examiner reliability among a sample of 68 elderly individuals with non-oncological pain living in the community. Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation of the scale was performed using the methodology standardized by Beaton et al. (2000)*. Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used for the statistical analysis (p.0.05). Results: Average age of the subjects was 69.6 ± 5.5 years; most were women, with low levels of income and education. The average pain duration was 10.2 years and the main clinical diagnosis was osteoarthritis. The reliability of the scale was adequate, with a regular to very strong correlations (PCC = 0.60 to 0.93) and a moderate to nearly perfect ICC (0.60 to 0.93), in mainly the chance locus of control and medical and healthcare professionals locus of control subscales. Conclusion: An adequate reliability and applicability was observed in our sample after adjustments and adaptations of the scale for use in elderly [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]