A multi-method study evaluating computing-related risk factors among college students

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Menéndez, Cammie Chaumont | Amick III, Benjamin C.^; | Jenkins, Mark | Janowitz, Ira | Rempel, David M. | Robertson, Michelle | Dennerlein, Jack T. | Chang, Che-Hsu (Joe) | Katz, Jeffrey N.

Affiliations: The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA | The Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Canada | Rice University, Houston, TX, USA | University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA | Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, MA, USA | Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA | Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Cammie Chaumont Menéndez, MPH, MS, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, #1004-G, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Tel.: +1 832 368 9191; Fax: +1 713 500 9442; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Purpose: To characterize undergraduate computer use using different data collection methods, emphasizing computing-related postures, use patterns and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms. Subjects and methods: In Spring, 2004, undergraduate students from a single dormitory at a private university agreed to complete a College Computing & Health Survey. For three separate data collection periods each lasting a week, we observed postures during computer once per period and continuously measured computer input device usage. During these three periods, students self-reported computer usage and symptoms 3–5 times daily. Results: Thirty students participated and all completed the study. Eighty-six percent reported ever experiencing symptoms after computer work. There were no time-related trends across data collection periods for posture, symptoms, and computing activities and patterns. Typed work and communicating (when compared with playing games) were usually the predominant computing activities throughout the semester. There was significantly greater self-reported computer use than that directly measured (p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study that utilized several methods of exposure assessment to describe computing postures, use patterns and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among a college student cohort. Epidemiological studies need to explore time-related changes such as time of day, weekday, and days into the semester to further understand symptoms, posture, and computer use changes.

Keywords: Computer use, posture, musculoskeletal symptoms, multiple methods

Journal: Work, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 287-297, 2007