Prevalence of and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the spine attributed to computer use in undergraduate students

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the 3-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at the spine attributed to computer use and to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with the prevalence in undergraduate students.

Participants: Undergraduate students who studied at a public university in Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered to 3,545 students.

Results: A total of 2,511 students (73.7%) returned the questionnaires. Cervical symptoms (22.3%) were the most frequently reported, followed by thoracic (11%) and lumbar symptoms (10.7%). Females, daily computer use greater than three hours and too-high keyboard's position were significantly associated with a high prevalence of cervical symptoms.

A significant association was found between higher undergraduate year of the study and too-high keyboard's position and a high prevalence of thoracic symptoms. Higher undergraduate year of the study and daily computer use greater than three hours were significantly related to a high prevalence of lumbar symptoms. Better-than-normal mental health status was associated with a low prevalence of lumbar symptoms.

Conclusion: Spinal symptoms are common among undergraduate students. Various factors were identified to be associated with high prevalence of spinal symptoms. Further research investigating the causal relation between these factors and musculoskeletal symptoms should be conducted.