Neck and Low Back Pain in Medical Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

The participants who reported the presence of neck or low back pain and were assigned to the clinical control group (Group A) after randomisation will not receive the intervention of an exercise program. The interventional group (Group B) will be asked to keep the standardised exercise program confidential and not share with the control group (Group A). After eight (8) weeks, Group A participants will receive: the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) to assess for changes in the frequency, discomfort and interference with work due to musculoskeletal pain; a Questionnaire B, to ascertain any changes in their pain level using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); as well as their knowledge, attitude and practice towards musculoskeletal problems of the neck and low back pain, without having received any intervention.

The standardised spine exercise program will be provided in a handout and given only to the intervention group (Group B), and will include simple basic neck or low back exercises to be done three (3) times per week, as well as brief stretching exercises, to be done during periods of sitting for greater than sixty (60) minutes. The selected participants will be asked to comply with instructions on the handout. Participants who experience worsening of their symptoms, or who develop new symptoms will be assessed as having an adverse outcome and will be withdrawn from the study.