Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39743540›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

Impact of generalized joint hypermobility on quality of life and physical activity in school-aged children: a longitudinal study.

Oluwakemi A Ituen, Christie D Akwaowo, Gillian Ferguson, Jacques Duysens, Bouwien Smits-Engelsman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Oluwakemi A ItuenDepartment of Health & Rehabilitation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. itnolu001@myuct.ac.za.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2241-9205
Christie D AkwaowoDepartment of Community Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.
Gillian FergusonDepartment of Health & Rehabilitation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Jacques DuysensMotor Control Laboratory, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Bouwien Smits-EngelsmanDepartment of Health & Rehabilitation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGeneralized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) offers flexibility that could enhance motor activities. However, if it leads to injury and pain, it increases functional difficulties and activity limitations. The far-reaching consequences of activity limitations and restricted participation include poor physical fitness and diminished quality of life. This study investigated whether variations in joint mobility are associated with physical activity levels, physical fitness, and overall quality of life (QoL) among children and whether these factors change over a 2-year period.

methodOne hundred and sixty-five school-aged children were recruited at the beginning of a two-year longitudinal study. One hundred and eleven children were measured three times at one-year intervals. Joint mobility was classified as normal mobile, mobile, or hypermobile. The children were administered the FACES pain scale, the child activity limitation interview, a physical activity questionnaire, and the pediatric quality of life inventory questionnaire. Additionally, the 20-meter shuttle run was used to estimate aerobic fitness.

resultsIn this study, pain was unrelated to joint mobility. The activity limitations of our study population were not different at baseline or at the end of the study, irrespective of joint mobility. Children with GJH had significantly lower physical activity levels at the end of the study. Overall, QoL increased over time, and aerobic capacity decreased. However, changes in children with GJH were not significantly different from those in children with normal mobility in this respect.

conclusionChildren with GJH were moderately active, however significantly less than children with normal mobility. Joint mobility had no significant effect on activity limitations, physical fitness or QoL.

Indexed as

ExerciseJoint InstabilityPhysical FitnessQuality of LifeAdolescentChildFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMalePain MeasurementRange of Motion, ArticularSurveys and QuestionnairesAerobic fitnessHealth outcomesJoint hypermobilityPainPhysical activityQuality of life

Identifiers

PMID39743540
PMCPMC11694391

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.