Determination of musculoskeletal system pain, physical activity intensity, and prolonged sitting of university students using smartphone

Low Back Pain Prevalence among Distance Learning Students

Background: Low back pain as a symptom affects many individuals around the globe regardless of their economic status or sociodemographic characteristics. During the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, students found themselves obligated to sit down for long periods of time. The aim of this current study is to investigate the impact of these prolonged periods of sitting down in front of computers on developing a new episode of low back pain. Methods and Materials: This research adopted an observational cross-section study design. Students who are currently enrolled or had experienced distance learning classes in the last 6 months were eligible to participate. An online-based questionnaire was developed by the investigators through reviewing the literature with relevant objectives. McNemar’s test was used to compare certain variables between two periods before and during online distance learning. We used paired t-tests to compare pain intensity before, during, and after online learning, while a chi-square test was used to investigate correlations between factors influencing low back pain. Results: A total of 84 students participated in the study—46 (54.8%) females and 38 (45.2%) males. Before online distance learning, only 42.9% of participants reported low back pain, while only 20% had a back injury. The mean pain scores before, during, and after online distance learning were (2.85 ± 2.16, 4.79 ± 2.6, and 4.76 ± 2.7), respectively. The pain scores before online learning were significantly lower than pain scores during and after online distance learning (p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that low back pain prevalence increased among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should study participants’ behavior during the online learning and assess the long-run impact of distance learning among high-school and undergraduate students.

Field Study of Postural Characteristics of Standing and Seated Smartphone Use

Prior investigations have been primarily conducted in a laboratory to examine the effects of the smartphone use on the neck and head positions, whether these results are applicable to actual conditions is still unknown. This field survey thus analyzed the neck flexion (NF), head flexion (HF), gaze angle (GA), and viewing distance (VD) of smartphone users in public areas in Taipei, Taiwan. Six hundred smartphone users (300 men and 300 women) were photographed sagittally in standing, supported sitting, or unsupported sitting postures while using a smartphone. Results showed that women had significantly less NF and HF and shorter VDs than male users. Regardless of gender, higher NF was observed for standing than for sitting. Women had similar NF and HF while sitting supported and unsupported, but both were significantly lower than those while standing. By contrast, male users had higher NF and HF during unsupported sitting than during supported sitting. The NF (45°-50°) was much greater than the recommended maximum safe NF of 15°. Women may be at higher risk of visual strain because of shorter VD.

Using touchscreen mobile devices-when, where and how: a one-week field study

This cross-sectional study explored the objectively measured Touchscreen Mobile Device (TSMD) use in free-living conditions. Data on TSMD use, gross body posture (lying, sitting, standing, stepping), and location of use (workplace, home, other) were collected over seven consecutive days from 54 adults (mean ± SD, 38 ± 10 years). The average duration of TSMD use was 152 ± 91 min/day, with a TSMD engagement of 51 ± 35 times/day. Participants under 30 years spent significantly more time on their TSMD, averaging 230 ± 108 min/day. By location, 54 ± 17% of use occurred at home and 24 ± 15% at work. The most common posture adopted during any TSMD use was sitting (77 ± 5 2 min/day), with participants also spending considerable time lying down in the home environment (39 ± 49 min/day). These findings provide valuable insights into how adults are using TSMDs, including the postures and locations of use. Further research is needed on the health and wellbeing implications of these usage patterns. Practitioner summary: This study explored Touchscreen Mobile Device (TSMD) use in free-living conditions among 54 adults (mean ± standard deviation, 38 ± 10 years). Participants under 30 years spent significantly more time on their devices. More than half of the time spent using TSMD occurred at home while sitting and lying down.Abbreviations: TSMD: touchscreen mobile device; SD: standard deviation; MSD: musculoskeletal disorder; HDR: higher degree by research; SEES: School of Earth and Environmental Sciences; UK: The United Kingdom; USA: United States of America; SAS: statistical analysis system; ANOVA: analysis of variance; SPSS: statistical package for the social sciences; h: hour; min/d: minutes per day; d: day; ICC: intraclass correlation; CI: confidence interval; min: minute; GPS: global positioning systemsHighlightsTouchscreen mobile device use and gross body posture were quantified objectively.The most common postures for touchscreen mobile device use were lying and sitting.Touchscreen mobile devices were used around twice as much at home than at work.Use at home, with a predominance of the lying posture, needs further investigation.

Smartphone addiction and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulder, elbow, and hand among college going students: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

Prolonged physical exposure during smartphone usage results in poor posture causing pain in neck, shoulder, elbow, and hands. So, our aim was to investigate the effect of smartphone addiction on musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out by a random sampling method from recognized institute in Bangladesh and India. Three hundred twenty-six participants, including male and female, aged between 18 and 30 years participated in this study. Candidates were requested to fill-up a performa containing demographics, Smartphone addiction scale-short form (SAS-SF), Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), Neck disability index (NDI), Oxford elbow score (OEC), and Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ).

Results

The mean age were 22.58 ± 3.19 years, weight 60 ± 11.30 kg, height 162.83 ± 9.74 cm, and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 22.69 ± 4.36 kg/m2. 43.3% participants reported neck pain, 42.9% shoulder pain, and 27.9% reported pain on their elbow while prolonged smartphone use. There was major difference in NDI (p = 0.047), SPDI (p = 0.005), OES (p = 0.002), and CHDQ (p = < 0.001) among Bangladeshi and Indian population. The SAS has a significant association with NDI; p < 0.001, SPDI; p < 0.001, OES; p < 0.001, and CHDQ; p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Smartphone addiction negatively impacted and positively related with the musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulder, elbow, and hand. Care should be given towards the proper use of smartphone and increase public awareness regarding the negative consequences of this serious issue.

Posture and musculoskeletal implications for students using mobile phones because of learning at home policy

There is an increasing trend of awkward postures due to smartphone use among students learning from home. Previous research in several countries has shown that the use of smartphones during a pandemic impacts musculoskeletal complaints. This study aimed to determine the postures performed by the students when using mobile phones and their implications for musculoskeletal complaints. A total of 709 students who learned from home voluntarily completed an online questionnaire regarding identity, work posture, and duration, while muscle and bone complaints experienced when using mobile phones were obtained through the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Furthermore, a bivariate analysis of body postures was carried out to identify perceived complaints using the chi-square method. The results showed a significant relationship between standing and leaning on a table posture (p-value: 0.026) with elbow, knee, and ankle complaints.

Prolonged sitting-induced back pain influences abdominal muscle thickness in a sitting but not a supine position

The current study explored whether (i) abdominal muscle thickness differed between non-painful supine and painful sitting positions and (ii) the sitting position was more reliable and useful than the supine position to discriminate between people with and without prolonged sitting-induced lower back pain (LBP). Participants with and without prolonged sitting-induced LBP participated. The thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles was measured using ultrasonography in supine, usual sitting, and upright sitting positions. Analysis of variance was used to compare muscle thickness among the positions. Intraclass correlation coefficients and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine which position reliably identified between group. The group with LBP showed significantly greater EO muscle thickness than that without LBP only in the upright sitting position. In the group without LBP, the TrA thickness was significantly greater in the usual and upright sitting positions than in the supine position, but there was no significant difference in TrA thickness among three positions in LBP group. Only EO thickness in the upright sitting position significantly predicted prolonged sitting-induced LBP. The current study suggests that clinicians should assess abdominal activation patterns in the upright sitting rather than supine position before applying abdominal muscle motor control training for patients with prolonged sitting-induced LBP, and to distinguish between those with and without prolonged sitting-induced LBP.

Prevalence of mobile device-related lower extremity discomfort: a systematic review

Mobile device users often experience musculoskeletal discomfort due to the intensive use of these devices in static body postures. Prolonged sitting and standing at work and in free time are risk factors for various diseases and all-cause mortality. Prolonged static postures are the main cause of lower extremity discomfort. A systematic search of the articles was conducted in four different electronic databases. All selected papers were appraised using a critical appraisal tool. Fourteen studies were selected for the review. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints ranged from 0.4 to 72.9%. Mobile device-related lower extremity discomfort ranged from 0.4 to 9.6%. The most common body posture among mobile device users in the selected studies was sitting. There is some evidence for the association between lower extremity pain and mobile device use. Experts should take this review as a basis to provide appropriate and effective ergonomic measures, especially for working mobile device users.

Prevalence of mobile device-related musculoskeletal pain among working university students: a cross-sectional study

The aim of the present study was to investigate usage patterns of mobile devices and their impact on users' musculoskeletal system among working university students in Slovenia at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University of Ljubljana. An Internet-based survey was sent to students' e-mail addresses and students provided information about usage patterns and reported on musculoskeletal pain (MSP) that may relate to mobile device usage in the past 12 months. A total of 535 students (63% females and 37% males) aged 18 years or older completed the survey and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the prevalence of MSP was 39.6%. Most musculoskeletal symptoms were reported in the back (57.1%) and shoulder (50%). Statistically significant differences in exposure to mobile devices and MSP between genders were found (p < 0.05). This study highlights the importance of knowledge of mobile device ergonomics among working students.