This Study Aims to Examine the Effect of a Wearable Posture Corrector Device on Back Pain Body Image and Postural Awareness in Young Adult Women
Conditions
Keywords
Wearable Electronic Devices, Young Adult, Pain, Body Image, Posture
Brief summary
To improve posture, methods such as strengthening specific muscles or focusing on body alignment are commonly used. In addition to elastic posture correctors, electronic posture reminders can also be utilized. Thanks to current wearable technologies and their companion mobile apps, individuals can enhance their posture awareness. Although studies show that wearable technologies effectively foster posture awareness, the effects of wearable posture-correcting devices on back pain (VAS) and body image are not sufficiently known. This study aims to examine the effects of a wearable posture-correcting device on back pain, body image, and posture awareness to improve posture in young adult women.
Detailed description
This study is a randomized controlled experimental trial with pretest-posttest measurements in experimental and control groups. The study will be conducted with young adult female students. The sample size was calculated using the G\*Power software, based on a similar study that utilized the same scale (VAS). In the a priori power analysis, based on an independent samples t-test with 80% power, an alpha level of 0.05, and an effect size of 0.56, a total of 82 participants-41 in the experimental group and 41 in the control group-were required. Considering potential sample dropouts, the sample size was increased by at least 10% and finalized at a total of 90 participants.Female participants who apply to join the study, express their willingness to use the wearable posture-correcting device, and meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups according to their order of application. Data will be collected using an 'Introductory Information Form', the 'VAS' to assess back pain, the 'Body Image Scale', and the 'Postural Awareness Scale'.Data analysis will be performed using the SPSS 31.0 software package. The test of significance of the difference between two means (independent samples t-test) will be utilized to reveal the differences between the two independent groups. A significance level of alpha 0.05 will be accepted.
Interventions
DEVICEWearable posture corrector device
The planned device is designed for general use, requires no prescription, does not serve a clinical diagnostic or therapeutic purpose, and can be used without the need to consult a healthcare professional. The device is placed on the upper back during use. When the user assumes an incorrect posture, the device emits gentle vibrations to alert them, thereby promoting posture awareness. Women in the experimental group will use the device for a total of 4 weeks.
Sponsors
Pamukkale University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Who are studying at \*\*\* University * Women aged 18-25 years * Women without spinal deformities, * No history of spinal surgery, * Back pain rated as VAS ≥ 3, * A Postural Awareness Scale score of ≤ 46, * No diagnosed psychiatric disorders, * No dermatological conditions that would prevent the use of the device
Exclusion criteria
* Not being a student at \*\*\* University * Age \< 18 or \> 25 years * Presence of spinal deformity * Previous spinal surgery * Back pain VAS score \< 3 * Postural Awareness Scale score \> 46 * Diagnosed psychiatric illness * Dermatological conditions preventing device use * Male sex / gender
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 'Introductory Information Form' | Baseline | This form, prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature, consists of 9 questions containing the sociodemographic data of women. |
| VAS (Back Pain) | It will be administered simultaneously to participants in both the experimental and control groups at baseline and 4-weeks | It is a single-item, non-invasive, universally used visual analog measurement tool designed to determine pain perception. It consists of a 100 mm horizontal line, numbered from 0 representing 'no pain' to 10 representing 'unbearable pain' at either end to indicate the severity of symptoms. |
| Body Image Scale | It will be administered simultaneously to participants in both the experimental and control groups at baseline and 4-weeks | The 'Body Image Scale' was developed by Saylan \& Soyyiğit (2022) to evaluate body image in individuals during adolescence and emerging adulthood and was reported to be a valid and reliable instrument. It is a 5-point Likert-type scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree) consisting of 21 items. It comprises four subdimensions: negative body perception, evaluation sensitivity, positive body perception, and body modification. Five items of the scale (Items 4, 7, 15, 16, and 17) are reverse-scored, with the total score ranging from a minimum of 21 to a maximum of 105. Higher scores obtained from the scale indicate a more negative body image. |
| Postural Awareness Scale | It will be administered simultaneously to participants in both the experimental and control groups at baseline and 4-weeks | The Turkish validity and reliability of the Postural Awareness Scale was conducted by Dursun and Önen (2018). The purpose of the scale is to assess an individual's self-reported body posture awareness. It is a 7-point Likert-type scale (ranging from 1 = 'not at all true for me' to 7 = 'completely true for me') consisting of 11 items. Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 12 of the scale are reverse-scored, and the total score obtainable ranges from a minimum of 11 to a maximum of 77. |
Contacts
CONTACTNeslihan Nur Dursun
Outcome results
None listed