Neck and shoulder pain in students: Unveiling associated factors of video display terminal devices use

Saadia Maqbool; Iram Manzoor; Muhammad Talha Sohail; Muhammad Rehan Ramzan; Muhammad Ibtesam; Muhammad Usama

doi:10.53685/jshmdc.v5i2.247

Authors

Saadia Maqbool Department of Community Medicine, Lahore Medical & Dental College Lahore, Pakistan
Iram Manzoor Department of Community Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Talha Sohail Department of Surgery, Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Rehan Ramzan Department of Anesthesia, Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Ibtesam Department of Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Usama Department of Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v5i2.247

Keywords:

Neck pain, Shoulder pain, Students, Video Display Terminal devices

Abstract

Background: Neck and shoulder pain is becoming a major public health concern due to increased use of digital display terminal devices. It negatively affects individual’s health and results in a burden on health care system.

Objective: To determine the frequency of neck and shoulder pain and identify the factors associated with it among students who use video display terminal (VDT) devices.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to October 2022 in various colleges and universities of the Punjab, Pakistan using a web-based survey. Convenience sampling technique was used to include 415 undergraduate students. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data of sociodemographic details and ergonomic practices. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The mean ±SD age of respondents was 21.3±2.8 years. Neck and shoulder pain was reported by 40.2% of the students who used VDT devices. Gender, course of study, and frequency of taking breaks while using VDT device were significantly associated with neck and shoulder pain (p values ≤0.05).

Conclusion: About 40% of the students reported having neck and shoulder pain. Neck and shoulder pain was more frequent in females, allied health sciences students and those taking frequent breaks.

References

Priya S, Krishna HS, Veljbhai BB. Comparison of neck muscle flexibility, strength, endurance and proprioception among the video display terminal user’s in college students with neck pain and without neck pain. Int J Physiother Res. 2019;7(5):3232-3238. doi: 10.16965/ijpr.2019.169 DOI: https://doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2019.169

Vitta AD, Bento TP, Perrucini PD, Felippe LA, Poli-Frederico RC, Borghi SM. Neck pain and associated factors in a sample of high school students in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil: Cross-sectional study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2021;139(1):38-45. doi: 10.1590/15163180.2020.0168.R1.30102020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0168.r1.30102020

Boro T, Nagrale O. The prevalence of cervical extension deficit among young adults: A cross-sectional observational study. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health. 2020;7(2):120-124.

Direksunthorn T, Polpanadham P, Summart U, Mahem K, Kempanya P, A’la MZ, et al. Association of electronic learning devices and online learning properties with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs): A cross-sectional study among Thai undergraduate students. PloS one. 2023;18(10):e0291597. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291597 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291597

Kashmeera PK, Vijay Selvan N, Andrews M. Prevalence of tension neck syndrome in frequent computer users. Medi Clin Case Rep J. 2023;1(2):65-68. doi: 10.51219/MCCRJ/Vijay -Selvan-N/20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51219/MCCRJ/Vijay-Selvan-N/20

Purushothaman VK, Guna Segar S, Muniandy Y, Subbarayalu AV, Prabaharan S, Rubavathi Marimuthu P. Comparison of neck muscle strength, range of motion, and craniovertebral angle among Malaysian young adults using different electronic devices. Electron J Gen Med. 2023;20(4):em499. doi: 10.29333/ejgm/13185 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/13185

Abusamak M, Jaber HM, Alrawashdeh HM. The effect of lockdown due to the covid-19 pandemic on digital eye strain symptoms among the general population: A cross-sectional survey. Front Public Health. 2022;10:895517. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.895517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.895517

Myint WW, Saimon R, Majid NN, Saripuddin MB, Rajan RA. The relationship between usage of digital devices and musculoskeletal symptoms: A cross-sectional study among university students in Sarawak. Int J Online Biomed Eng. 2021;17(9):35-47. doi: 10.3991/ijoe.v17i09.24605 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v17i09.24605

Ullah I, Khan A, Ullah S, Khan MS, Beland B, Shah A. Prevalence of neck pain in computer users among the undergraduate students at Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. Ann Allied Health Sci. 2021;7(1):8-11.

Maayah MF, Nawasreh ZH, Gaowgzeh RA, Neamatallah Z, Alfawaz SS, Alabasi UM. Neck pain associated with smartphone usage among university students. PloS one. 2023;18(6):e0285451. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285451 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285451

Ahmed S, Mishra A, Akter R, Shah MH, Sadia AA. Smartphone addiction and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulder, elbow, and hand among college going students: A cross-sectional study. Bull Fac Phys Ther. 2022;27(1):5-13. doi: 10.1186/s43161-021-00067-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-021-00067-3

Arshad MA, Shamsudin MZ, Mustafa MJ. Laptop use and upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders among higher learning students. J Environ Health. 2020;2(2):1-4.

Ling KY, Hui OJ. Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its association with computer workstation ergonomics among undergraduates in Malaysia. INTI Journal. 2023;2023(32):1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61453/INTIj.202332

Satapathy J, Dash A. The impact of video display terminals on ocular and non-ocular health among students: A cross-sectional study. J Evid Based Med Healthc. 2019; 6(46), 2935-2939. doi: 10.18410/jebmh/2019/612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18410/jebmh/2019/612

Hawamdeh M, Al-Nassan SM, Obaidat SM, Shallan A, Hawamdeh ZM, Eilayyan O, Altaim TA, Alanazi F. The relationship between using smartphones and text neck syndrome in online learning among university students in Jordan: A Survey Study. Ortopedia Traumatologia Rehabilitacja. 2023;25(6):315-320. doi: 10.5604/01.3001. 0054.2883 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0054.2883

El-Gamal F, Najm F, Najm N, Aljeddawi J. Visual display terminals health impact during covid 19 pandemic on the population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Entomol Appl Sci Lett. 2021;8(2):91-99. doi: 10.51847/jJp0wj6I4S DOI: https://doi.org/10.51847/jJp0wj6I4S

Legan M, Zupan K. Prevalence of mobile device-related musculoskeletal pain among working university students: A cross-sectional study. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022;28(2):734-742. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2020.1827561 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2020.1827561

Chan LL, Wong AY, Wang MH, Cheung K, Samartzis D. The prevalence of neck pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students: A large-scale cross-sectional study. Int J Ind Ergon. 2020;76:102934. doi: 10.1016/j.ergon.2020.102934 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2020.102934

Elsiddig AI, Altalhi IA, Althobaiti ME, Alwethainani MT, Alzahrani AM. Prevalence of neck and shoulder pain among Saudi universities’ students who are using smartphones and computers. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022;11(1):194-200. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1138_21 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1138_21

Huey TY, Pillai SG. Prevalence and associated risk factors of neck pain among university students in Kuantan, Pahang during covid-19 pandemic. Asian J Med Heal Sci. 2021;4:228-238.

Elshaer N. Prevalence and associated factors related to arm, neck and shoulder complaints in a selected sample of computer office workers. J Egypt Publ Health Assoc. 2017;92(4):203-211. doi: 10.21608/EPX.2018.22041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/EPX.2018.22041