Pachter, B; New York University Medical Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York, NY and The North Broward Preparatory School, Coconut Creek, FL. Pachter@nbps.org.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine middle school students in order to ascertain whether an association exists between the use and weight of backpacks and sensory changes. BACKGROUND: While there is anecdotal evidence to relate backpack use in school children and pain, there is little scientific study. SUBJECTS: A total of two hundred and seventeen children between the ages of 11 and 14 were examined during the advisory periods of the subjects. METHODS: Each middle school student filled out a 27-item questionnaire, and each child’s weight, height, and backpack weight were measured. ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed according to the student’s grade level, gender, and types and localizations of sensory problems. Statistical analysis using the student t-test was utilized. RESULTS: Of children who regularly carry a backpack, 111students (51 %) reported pain. This pain persisted in 82% of these students even after removal of backpack. Sixty-two percent of students who complained of backpack related pain used only one backpack strap. The average backpack weight of all students was 17 pounds. In those with pain the weight was 19.1 ± 7.8 pounds as compared to 14.2 ± 7.1 pounds in those students without pain (p<0.0001). In those students with backpack related pain, male students carried an average of 20 pounds whereas female students carried 16.7 pounds (p<0.001). Overall, the students carried an average of 16.5% of their body weight in backpacks. Students complaining of pain carried 17.6 ± 8.3 percent of their body weight as compared to 13.1 ± 6.6 percent without reported pain (p<0.0001). A positive correlation was observed between the incidence of backpack related pain and a backpack weight greater than 15% of body weight. Seventy-eight percent of students with pain carried 15% of their body weight in a backpack as compared to 36% of students without pain. A hunched over position with a backpack was also directly related to pain. Backpack related pain was described in the shoulder, lower back, neck, middle, and upper back areas. Students also complained of having numbness and weakness in their back, arms, and legs as well as getting headaches. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows a direct association between the daily carrying of heavy backpacks and associated pain and discomfort in middle school students. FUNDING SOURCE: None.

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