Affiliations: 284 Mott Street, Apt 2-O, New York, NY 10012, USA.
E-mail: [email protected] | 8000 Shore Front Parkway Apt: 5K, Rockaway Beach, NY
11693, USA. E-mail: [email protected] | Columbia University, Programs in Occupational Therapy,
710 West 168th Street, NI-8, New York, NY 10032, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Jane Bear-Lehman, Associate
Professor, New York University, Steinhardt School of Education, Occupational
Therapy Department, 35 West 4th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10012, USA.
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the average time school
children spend on computers and electronic games, the positions they assume,
and any associated discomfort related to their use. A twenty three-point
questionnaire was distributed to 476 children in first to eighth grade from
three parochial schools in one of the New York City boroughs. The findings of
this study suggest that children use the computer and electronic games
differently than adults and that more boys than girls engage in electronic game
playing. Results clearly indicated that children are experiencing discomfort
from the use of computers or electronic games, and that the discomfort is
largely concentrated in the neck region. Occupational therapy could be instrumental in terms of educating the
children, their parents/guardians, and their teachers on proper body mechanics,
applications of ergonomically suited workstations, and the use of rest/stretch
breaks while engaged in computing and electronic game playing.
