The incidence of backpain is unknown in children because studies have been cross-sectional or longitudinal with few follow-ups of long intervals. Children cannot be expected to remember past events of backpain correctly. Therefore data-collection must be undertaken with short intervals and using other methods than questionnaires only. The 1208 children from grade 0 to grade 4, who participated in an intervention study (increased physical activity vs. “business-as-usual”) were followed with standardized questions submitted with weekly text-messages (SMS-Track). If they answered “yes” to backpain in the past week, their parents were called up, and the child was seen in person by health personnel. “Backpain” included any type of spinal pain.Background
Methods and material
There is concern that a sedentary lifestyle in childhood is harmful to spinal health. The literature stands divided, as there are reports also of an increased injury rate in children who are physically active. Children cannot be expected to remember correctly amount of physical activity in the past nor can they remember correctly past events of backpain. We therefore used a new method, SMS-Track, to collect weekly data over a long period of time. In a prospective Danish study, the effect of increased physical activity was tested vs. “business-as-usual” in 10 primary schools. We collected data on time spent on physical activities and any backpain in the preceding week. For this we sent the children weekly text-messages, to which the children/parents responded with a text-message as well. If the child reported having had any backpain during the preceding week, the parents were contacted, the child seen by a health professional, and treatment initiated if necessary.Background
Methods and material
