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Children's
Hospital kicked off a new research study in June, looking
at the safety and effects of backpack use on school-age children/adolescents.
The study takes place
in the hospital's Motion Analysis Laboratory where three-dimensional
computerized analysis will be utilized to determine the impact of
backpack use on a child's posture and walking pattern or gait. Ten
fifth and sixth graders from St. Edward Epiphany School are taking
part in this study, each carrying a backpack load typical for a
student in their age group. While the primary long-term goal of
the study is to educate children, families and the scientific community
about the effects of carrying backpacks that may be too heavy or
improperly loaded, a secondary long-range goal is to identify the
possible causes of adolescent back pain.
Kim Wesdock, Motion
Lab physical therapist, reports that "it is widely believed that
prolonged carrying of heavy loads, such as school backpacks, places
abnormal stress on rapidly growing adolescent spinal structures,
making them more prone to postural and skeletal changes, including
scoliosis, and other spinal disorders."
The Motion Lab uses
computer technology and specialized monitoring equipment to provide
quantitative descriptions of body posture during motion, as well
as other variables. Gait analysis is the service most commonly provided
by the lab. While some similar studies regarding backpack use have
been done, Wesdock says that most other research looks at the weight
of the backpack and posture of the child when standing still, while
this study will look at the child when walking with differently
weighted backpacks. "Gait analysis is a more functional way to look
at it," explains Wesdock. "We can look at so many different variables
here because we have the measurement tools in the lab to do this."
The connection between
back pain and backpacks has not gone unnoticed in the medical community
or among the public at large in recent years. In 1998, the Consumer
Product Safety Commission tracked visits to doctor's offices, clinics
and hospital emergency rooms related to backpacks. Children ages
5-14 had more than 10,000 such visits.
The Motion Lab Staff
will collect data through August and plan to analyze their findings
throughout the fall and present the results of their study next
spring at a national conference.
**
This material
is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it
does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health
questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal
medical advice. To reach Patient Services at Children's Hospital
of Richmond, call (804) 228-5818.
Children's
Hospital is a specialty pediatric facility with the mission of providing
quality health care to children and financial assistance when needed.
Children's Hospital now offers inpatient, day patient and outpatient
services to more than 8,000 children each year, providing evaluation,
diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of medical conditions.
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