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A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Body Mechanics in Reduction of Low Back Pain Among Student Nurses in A Selected Nursing College at Kollam

Ms. Sharon. A. Aruja, Sr Arpitha Poopady

Abstract


A quantitative study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of body mechanics in reduction of low back pain among student nurses in Holy Cross College of Nursing, Kottiyam. The objectives of the study were to assess the pain scores of low back pain among student nurses, to evaluate the effectiveness of body mechanics in reduction of low back pain and to find out the association between pre-test pain scores and selected demographic variables. A pre-experimental one group pre-test–post-test design was selected for the study. Students who have moderate to severe low back pain, who are presently not on any medical treatment and who are willing to participate in the study were only included as sample. The sample of the study was identified by purposive sampling technique. Demographic proforma were collected from the sample and pain perception of the student nurses was assessed using 0–10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale from each sample. 30 student nurses were selected according to the pain perception before the intervention. After explaining the need of the study and about the intervention to the participants, informed consent was taken from each participant. After the intervention of daily practice of exercises for 20 min for 3 weeks continuously, 0–10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale was used to assess the pain score of student nurses. The data obtained were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study showed that mean ± standard deviation in pre-test and post-test were 6.0±0.7 and 0.4±0.7, respectively. The results reveal that there was a reduction in pain scores of student nurses where the calculated ‘p’ value 0.00 was less than the table value (39.4**). Therefore, the null hypothesis (H0) was rejected and research hypothesis was accepted. Hence low back exercises and the practice of body mechanics were effective in reducing the back pain of the student nurses. Chi-square test was done to find out the association of pain scores with selected demographic variables. The study has shown significant association between pre-test pain scores with the duration of back pain, daily activities and the medical advice (p˂0.01).

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37628/ijorn.v6i2.1674

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