Physiotherapist-Led School-Based Back-Health Education Program

Change in the prevalence of spinal pain (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.

Metric: Proportion of participants reporting spinal pain in each spinal region at both assessment points.

Change in spinal pain intensity measured using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale. Metric: Difference in score (0-10) between baseline and 3 months.

Change in spinal pain duration categories (<12 h, 12-24 h, 1-7 days, >1 week). Metric: Shift in categorical distribution from baseline to 3 months.

Change in postural habits, including sitting posture, sleeping posture, and method of rising from bed, assessed through a self-administered questionnaire.

Metric: Proportion of participants reporting correct posture in each domain (sitting, sleeping, rising from bed).

Assesses changes in the average number of hours per day that children engage in habitual physical activity (e.g., free play, sports participation, structured or unstructured movement).

Daily duration is self-reported through the standardized 21-item questionnaire administered at both time points.

The available response options are: "0 hours per day," "1 hour per day," "2 hours per day," "3 hours per day," and "4 hours per day." Metric: Difference in the daily duration of physical activity (hours per day) between baseline and the three-month follow-up.

Assesses changes in the number of days per week in which children report using electronic devices. Frequency is obtained from the same self-reported 21-item questionnaire administered at both time points.

The available response options are: "I don't play," "1-2 times per week," "3-4 times per week," "4-6 times per week," or "every day." Metric: Difference in the weekly frequency of electronic device use (days per week) between baseline and the three-month follow-up.

Assessed with a 5-item ad hoc questionnaire administered after the final workshop.

Item 1: Ratings of duration, printed materials, presenter, theoretical lecture, and practical demonstration using a 0-4 scale (0=very poor, 4=excellent).

Items 2-4: Impact of the workshop rated as "nothing," "a little," or "a lot" (knowledge about spine care; knowledge about physical activity benefits and sedentary risks; opinion on implementing workshops for all students).

Item 5: Open-ended suggestion for improvement.

Change in multiple backpack-related behaviors, including backpack type, weight distribution, organization/inspection routines, and carrying method.

Metric: Proportion of participants reporting recommended behaviors in each category.

Assesses changes in the average number of hours per day that children use electronic devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, TV).

Daily duration is self-reported through the standardized 21-item questionnaire used in the study.

The available response options are: "0 hours per day," "1 hour per day," "2 hours per day," "3 hours per day," and "4 hours per day." Metric: Difference in the daily duration of electronic device use (hours per day) between baseline and the three-month follow-up.

Assesses changes in the number of days per week in which children report engaging in physical activity. Weekly frequency is obtained from the same self-reported 21-item questionnaire used in the study.

The available response options are: "1 day per week," "2-3 days per week," "4-6 days per week," "every day," and "never." Metric: Difference in weekly frequency of physical activity (days per week) between baseline and three-month follow-up.