Affiliations: Department of Public Health, Division of Outcomes and
Effectiveness Research, and Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of
Cornell University, NY, USA | University of Texas at Houston School of Public
Health, Houston, TX, USA | Robert B. Brigham Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
Diseases Clinical Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and
Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,
USA | Department of Medicine, University Health Service,
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA | Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, MA, USA | Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety,
Hopkinton, MA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Nathaniel Hupert, MD, MPH,
Department of Public Health, 411 E. 69th St., 313, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Tel.: +1 212 746 3049; Fax: +1 212 746 8544; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Purpose: Occupational computer use has been associated with upper
extremity musculoskeletal disorders among working-age adults, but little is
known about computer-related musculoskeletal problems among college students.
We carried out a descriptive epidemiological study of computer use-associated
symptoms, functional limitations, and medication and health care utilization in
this population. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional survey of 240 undergraduates
in the second through fourth years at a residential dormitory at a four-year
college with random housing assignments. Results: 194 students returned useable surveys (81% response rate).
42% reported upper extremity pain or discomfort when using a computer in the
preceding two weeks. 41% said this pain or discomfort caused functional
limitation and 9% said that these symptoms hindered academic or
extracurricular performance. 23% reported taking medications for upper
extremity pain related to computing (4% regularly) and 16% had seen a health
care provider for computer-related symptoms. Female students, students of
racial/ethnic minority groups, and students who experienced symptoms with
≤ 1 hour of computer use were more likely to report symptom-related
functional limitation than others. Conclusion: College students report high rates of computer
use-associated upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and symptom-related
functional limitation. Future studies should more closely examine exposure,
demographic, and ergonomic correlates of these symptoms and
outcomes.Purpose:
Keywords: musculoskeletal, college, computer, functional status, health care utilization
