Retrospective analysis of common patterns in adolescents and teens seen at the ESO clinic during the last decade (2005-2014)

Item

Title
Retrospective analysis of common patterns in adolescents and teens seen at the ESO clinic during the last decade (2005-2014)
Author(s)
France, P
Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) are common in children, often persevere during adolescence and significantly predisposed to other MSCs later in life. An increased and excessive use of electronic devices is commonly observed during adolescence for recreational purposes, however this usually persists in adulthood as an estimate of four adults out of five have a desk based job in the UK Objective: To determine whether there was a change of pattern in terms of musculoskeletal complaints and postural characteristic in pubescent children and teenagers over a ten.-year period. Design: Observational retrospective study. Methods: The study was conducted at the European School of Osteopathy teaching clinic Comparison of the data was performed in relation to two established cohorts based on their date of initial consultation. There were 21 cases in the first group (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009) and 23 cases for the second group (2014). Each of the case were thoroughly examined Presenting complaint, associated symptoms, osteopathic working diagnosis, types of treatment given along with five different postural characteristics (Kyphosis, C/D, shoulders position, forward head carriage and upper cross syndrome) were recorded. Results: 44 cases in total of pubescent children and teenagers, aged 12-17 were gathered and analysed. Despite the two cohorts being highly significant in terms of age of participants (P-value < 0.001), no statistically significant change of pattern from the postural characteristics collected (each P-value > 0.05) emerged. Low back pain, in terms of presenting complaint, notably increased between the two groups; 19.05% in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 to 34.78% in 2014. Based on the clinical records, there seemed to be a more direct approach in treatment including adequate use of HVLATT (High Velocity Low Amplitude Thrust Technique) in 2014 whereas treatments in the years 2006 to 2009 seemed to include less HVLATT and more of a combination between direct and indirect approaches. Seven cases in total of asthma were reported which represents 15.91% of all cases analysed Discussion: The wider literature appears to challenge the idea of correlation between musculoskeletal pain and excessive computer use. However, today's society tends to lead to a more sedentary lifestyle which may explained the worldwide prevalence of childhood obesity along with other related disorders such as Type 2 diabetes for instance. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in symptomatic areas observed in pubescent children and teenagers over a ten-year period. This was potentially due to low sample size. However, some postural features such as increased kyphosis, flexed C/D and protracted shoulders were reported in 2014 in comparison to the previous group.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2016
Date Submitted
2.12.2016 17:29:04
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15944
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Teenagers, Musculoskeletal complaints, Postural features, Today’s society.
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

France, P, “Retrospective analysis of common patterns in adolescents and teens seen at the ESO clinic during the last decade (2005-2014)”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/537