Affiliations: [a] Department of Sports and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium | [b] Laboratory of Human Movement Analysis (LAMH), Liege, Belgium | [c] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Liège University Hospital (CHU), Liege, Belgium
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adequate motor control is considered important for spinal stability and the prevention of low back pain in adulthood and in childhood. OBJECTIVE: Given that the sitting position can affect proprioception, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of using at school a triangular and dynamic cushion on schoolchildren’s trunk motor control. METHODS: Thirty 8-year-old schoolchildren were randomized into a control group (n= 15) and a “cushion group” (n= 15), in which the children used the cushion for one year and a half. At the end of this period, a 3D-analysis was used to assess lumbar spine proprioception by means of a trunk repositioning task performed blindfolded in a seated position in two conditions (on a stable and on an unstable surface). RESULTS: The schoolchildren in the cushion group performed better at the trunk repositioning task (p= 0.02) and hold their lumbar lordosis (p= 0.03) better than the control children, in both conditions (stable and unstable). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that daily use of a triangular dynamic cushion has a beneficial impact on children’s lumbar proprioception. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and investigate the effectiveness of its use to prevent low back pain in adulthood.
