Research has suggested baby wearing results in happier healthier babies [1]. Various designs of carrier are available, is there one which has less impact on the biomechanics of the cervical spine? 18 volunteers (9 male and female) performed a warm up procedure on the neck (movement through each range of motion), repeated thrice. Measurement of the active cervical range of motion (ACROM) in flexion and extension using a Cervical Range of Motion device, described in previous studies [2]. Volunteers were then allocated a baby carrier to wear including a specially designed “baby” mannequin (dimensions based on population average statistics for a 1yro). Volunteers continued with ADLs, returning after 2 hours. With the carrier removed, measurements were repeated (without warm-up). Volunteers were assessed at the same time of day, thrice (control, single carrier, double carrier) with at least 1 day between carrying.Introduction
Methods
Back pain impinges upon all aspects of life, has a reported UK lifetime prevalence as high as 84% and considering approximately a third of our lives are spent asleep the paucity of research into the effect a mattress has on back pain and sleep is surprising. Mood changes, effecting an increase in pain perception, due to sleep loss may also lead to a downward spiral of increasing back pain and greater sleep loss. A controllable factor in this spiral, affecting both aspects, is the mattress but to the authors' knowledge none currently available on the market have any robust, published research to objectively support any claims made and at best being ‘endorsed’ by experts. This may lead to possible misinterpretation of efficacy and leave professionals at a loss with what to advise when questioned. Method: A three month, randomised, controlled, double blind crossover field study is proposed to take place in the participants own homes, ensuring the most natural sleep environment. Data collection: Three 28 day phases 1 - Baseline data, participants sleeping on their own mattress 2 - Random allocation of mattresses, half allocated test and half control 3 - Crossover of test and control mattress Subjective measures of back pain and sleep quality will be collected utilising a daily sleep diary and visual analogue scales. Objective measures of sleep quality using activity monitors during sleep.Purpose and Background
Methods and Data collection
