A study on the prevalence of left-handed students using right-handed armchairs, who show signs and symptoms of scoliosis in Dasmariñas National Highschool year 1998-1999

Date of Completion

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Scoliosis, College Students, Chairs

Abstract

Life of a student involves a great amount of time seated on their chairs and indulged in lengthy writing activities. Seating posture obviously does affect comfort. Since incidence shows that there are more right-handed students than left-handed students and most of school chair have right-sided armrest, comfort and ease do not pose any problems. Left-handed students are frequently neglected with their problems involving their right-sided armrest. Their trunk can be observed to compensate with their seat because of their hand preference. This won't be a problem if their schools provide appropriate left-handed armchairs for them. Public schools with inadequate facilities now begin to become a problem. Scoliosis can be the most appropriate orthopedic problem that can result from their prolonged incorrect posture. Since Dasmariñas National Highschool holds a big population of students, it was chosen to become the source of subjects for a study that can correlate the development of signs and symptoms of scoliosis with the prolonged poor posture manifested by the left-handed students who use right-handed armchairs. Because of this, the researchers were prompted to conduct a survey on the prevalence of left-handed students using right-handed armchairs to show signs and symptoms of scoliosis in Dasmariñas National Highschool, school year 1998 -1999. The study was conducted by first giving a brief background to the students about the development of scoliosis in relation with prolonged poor posture. Then, questionnaires were given to all left-handed students of all sections who are within the age bracket of 12 and 17 years old. (12 years old because many curves are first noted approximately at this age and 17 because this is approximately the end of skeletal maturity). The questionnaire asked about the students' general information plus an additional question regarding any presence of back pain. These students were then subjected to a series of physical examination, which aimed to detect any signs of development of scoliosis such as muscle spasm, tenderness, postural deviation, presence of rib hump and leg length discrepancy. Results were tallied according to age, sex, type of chair used, presence of individual signs or combination of signs, or no signs. Result were taken by computing for the ratio and prevalence and percentages were also calculated. The study revealed that out of 8,514 students, 318 were left-handed, 309 among them used chairs with right-handed armrest, and 282 showed signs and symptoms either individually or by combination of signs. The prevalence of left-handed students using right-handed armchairs who shows signs and symptoms of scoliosis among the population of Dasmariñas National Highschool for the said schoolyear was 3.31. Postural deviation (asymmetry of shoulder, scapula and pelvis and any increase in normal kyphosis or lordosis) was the most common individual sign), postural deviation, and presence of rib hump was the most common combination of signs, which presented with a percentage of 23.94%. Among the three age brackets examined (12-13, 14-15, and 16-17), the greatest quantity of left-handed students who showed signs and symptoms of scoliosis was derived from 14-15 years old. Females manifested signs and symptoms more frequently than males. There was a ratio of 88 as to students with signs and symptoms of scoliosis as to students without. As to relationship of male and female with signs and symptoms of scoliosis, there was a ratio of 9.57. There are a number of etiologies of non-structural scoliosis and it is not our purpose to directly point out in this study that prolonged poor posture manifested by left-handed students using right-handed armchairs is the sole cause of the possible scoliosis that they could develop. They were were not monitored since and various etiologies could influence its development. Rather, there is a great possibility that prolonged poor posture could be a strong cause since this is what was commonly undergone by majority of the subjects who showed signs and symptoms of scoliosis. Sitting with weight shifted onto one hip results in asymmetric flexibility. Most especially in children, continued asymmetric postures might affect remodeling of bone and adaptation of soft tissue. Furthermore, the existence of the signs and symptoms of scoliosis and the continued use of inappropriate armchairs could either trigger or aggravate any possible condition about to occur or is already occurring. Neglect could either lead to complications ranging from mild to life threatening. The most important recommendation of the group is to make the administrators of Dasmariñas National Highschool aware of the present condition of their students. This strongly implies to the school's administrators to relay to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports the result of the study so as to provide sufficient chairs suited for the left-handed students to be able to promote ease and comfort during school hours. This can further impede any development of scoliosis. Our study also suggests to the students who presented with signs and symptoms of scoliosis, and their parents as well, to undergo radiological laboratory exams to prevent any possible complications at the earliest time possible

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