Musculoskeletal impact of computer and electronic game use on children and adolescents

Children and adolescents engage in activities similar to demands known to cause musculoskeletal disorders in working adults. In this study, computer and electronic game use were proposed as contributors to neck or upper extremity (NUE) symptoms of pain or discomfort in adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was distributed in a northeastern US city. Subjects reported use of computers at school and home, TV-based games, and hand-held games, exercise, musculoskeletal symptoms occurring in the past month, demographics and personal characteristics. Frequent home computer users (daily or almost daily) were at increased odds of reporting NUE symptoms compared to less frequent users (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.2-2.4). School computer use and electronic game use were not associated with increased NUE symptoms. Age, race or gender did not confound the relationship. Girls were more likely to report NUE symptoms than boys (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.1-2.4). Being overweight and wearing vision correction were associated with symptoms. As computer use patterns and weight are modifiable characteristics, they suggest targets for reducing the negative effect of computer use in this population. Additional research and interventions involving the roles of physical activity, equipment design, psychosocial demands and physical development are recommended.