Monday, September 01, 2008
Computer use can give rise to repetitive strain injuries with resultant pain in the neck, arms, shoulders, forearms, wrists and hands. Additionally, more people are using video games and small keyboards associated with hand-held phone devices that can give rise to pain in the fingers, especially the thumbs, from constant texting.
This following cross-sectional study evaluated the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes in 791 adolescents to associate them to computer and video game use. The research included a questionnaire and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. A computer was used by 99% and video games by 58%. Pain was reported by 312 (39.4%) students: 23% complained of back pain, 9% of upper limb pain, 4% of diffuse pain and 4% of pain in the trapezius muscle. A clinical examination was carried out in 359 students, and one or more musculoskeletal pain syndromes were present in 56 students (15.6%): benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendonitis in 2% and fibromyalgia in 1%. (Zapata AL. Moraes AJ. Leone C. Doria-Filho U. Silva CA. Pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes related to computer and video game use in adolescents.European Journal of Pediatrics. 165(6):408-14, 2006 Jun).
Another study in college students showed that of those students who use a laptop computer for all computer use, 90.1% reported musculoskeletal complaints. The majority of female college students in this study reported musculoskeletal discomfort during or after computer use. Although a statistical correlation could not be made, students using laptop computers reported a higher incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms than those using desktop computers. (Hamilton AG. Jacobs K. Orsmond G. The prevalence of computer-related musculoskeletal complaints in female college students.Work. 24(4):387-94, 2005).
Alternating between resting the forearms on the work surface and on the chairs' armrests could solicit different muscles during computer work, and could be considered as a strategy for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
When holding mobile devices for texting purposes, it is best that the head not be in a constant bent-down position, arms and elbows be held at the side of the body, the wrists not cocked up but kept in a slightly bent down position. The thumb and fingers should not press the keyboard with excessive pressure by keeping them as straight as possible. Long messages are best not to be typed on these hand-held devices. The key to prevent repetitive injuries so it does not become chronic pain. The key to prevention is to rest frequently and often. Try resting for equal durations as time worked.
www.stopmusclepain.com
computers,
hand held devices,
mobile phones,
muscles,
pain,
repetitive injuries
Monday, September 01, 2008
Computer use can give rise to repetitive strain injuries with resultant pain in the neck, arms, shoulders, forearms, wrists and hands. Additionally, more people are using video games and small keyboards associated with hand-held phone devices that can give rise to pain in the fingers, especially the thumbs, from constant texting.
This following cross-sectional study evaluated the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes in 791 adolescents to associate them to computer and video game use. The research included a questionnaire and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. A computer was used by 99% and video games by 58%. Pain was reported by 312 (39.4%) students: 23% complained of back pain, 9% of upper limb pain, 4% of diffuse pain and 4% of pain in the trapezius muscle. A clinical examination was carried out in 359 students, and one or more musculoskeletal pain syndromes were present in 56 students (15.6%): benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendonitis in 2% and fibromyalgia in 1%. (Zapata AL. Moraes AJ. Leone C. Doria-Filho U. Silva CA. Pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes related to computer and video game use in adolescents.European Journal of Pediatrics. 165(6):408-14, 2006 Jun).
Another study in college students showed that of those students who use a laptop computer for all computer use, 90.1% reported musculoskeletal complaints. The majority of female college students in this study reported musculoskeletal discomfort during or after computer use. Although a statistical correlation could not be made, students using laptop computers reported a higher incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms than those using desktop computers. (Hamilton AG. Jacobs K. Orsmond G. The prevalence of computer-related musculoskeletal complaints in female college students.Work. 24(4):387-94, 2005).
Alternating between resting the forearms on the work surface and on the chairs' armrests could solicit different muscles during computer work, and could be considered as a strategy for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
When holding mobile devices for texting purposes, it is best that the head not be in a constant bent-down position, arms and elbows be held at the side of the body, the wrists not cocked up but kept in a slightly bent down position. The thumb and fingers should not press the keyboard with excessive pressure by keeping them as straight as possible. Long messages are best not to be typed on these hand-held devices. The key to prevent repetitive injuries so it does not become chronic pain. The key to prevention is to rest frequently and often. Try resting for equal durations as time worked.
www.stopmusclepain.com
computers, hand held devices, mobile phones, muscles, pain, repetitive injuries