Effectiveness of Postural Awareness Session in Reducing Neck Pain Among Allied Health Sciences Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/vgza4321Keywords:
Neck pain, postural awareness, ergonomics, students, musculoskeletal disorders, NPRS.Abstract
Background: Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder among university students, particularly in Allied Health Sciences, due to prolonged study hours, poor posture, and extensive digital device use. Educational interventions focusing on postural awareness have shown potential in reducing musculoskeletal symptoms, but evidence in this specific population remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured postural awareness session in reducing neck pain and associated symptoms among undergraduate Allied Health Sciences students. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre–post interventional study was conducted among 45 students aged 18–25 years with neck pain. Participants underwent baseline assessment using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and a structured questionnaire evaluating posture-related behaviors and symptoms. A standardized 30–40 minute postural awareness session was delivered, and outcomes were reassessed after two weeks. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-intervention scores, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Mean NPRS scores significantly decreased from 5.89 ± 2.09 to 3.04 ± 1.59 (p < 0.001), with a mean difference of −2.85 and a large effect size (d = 1.52). Significant reductions were also observed in pain after prolonged sitting, neck stiffness, headache frequency, and mobile-related pain (p < 0.001). Awareness of proper posture improved significantly (p = 0.001), while behavioral and ergonomic changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A single postural awareness session significantly reduced neck pain and improved awareness among Allied Health Sciences students; however, sustained behavioral change may require longer-term, multifaceted interventions
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nasir Mehmood, Tooba Rafique, Asma Arshad, Sawera Rafiq, Muneeba Shahzad, Laiba Ali (Author)
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