posture
Undergraduate Category: Health Sciences Degree Level: PT/s Abstract ID# 1092
Mobile Computing Device Usage and Posture In College Aged Adults: An Observational Study Nicholas Ing, PT/s; Kelsey Jonas, PT/s; Luz Stella Marin Ramirez, Sc.D.; Jack Dennerlein, PhD
BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE
• Mobile computing technology keeps changing every year! • New technology supports the use of non-‐traditional workstations .2 • Overuse may induced musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).1,3 • Non-‐neutral postures may be a risk factor.
OBJECTIVE
Describe variation in user configuration and user postures across different mobile computing technology.
HYPOTHESIS
• •
Hypothesis 1: While using mobile devices, we expect user configuration and upper extremity postures to differ across mobile computing devices. Hypothesis 2: When using a specific device, user trunk and upper extremity posture will differ across user configurations.
METHODS
• Design: Observational study of 18-‐25 year olds using mobile computing devices in Boston, MA. • 1052 individuals observed over 3 weeks in Winter 2016 in student centers, cafes, libraries, and common spaces • Checklist categorized for each user: • Technology (Device) • Configuration (Sit/stand, arms supported/unsupported, hand configuration) • Trunk and Upper extremity posture of the user (Neck, spine, shoulder, and wrist) • Multinomial logistic regression tested the stated hypotheses • Data from cellphone and tables were excluded because of the low numbers observed.
SMARTPHONES AND LAPTOPS DOMINATED
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION/RATIONALE: With the increased use of mobile computing devices and the changes in their form factor, there is concern for the development of computer-‐related musculoskeletal disorders with new user configurations. The objective of this study characterized trunk and upper extremity postures with potential risk factors, and tested differences associated with various mobile computing form factors (smartphone, cell phone, tablet, laptop). METHODS: Investigators observed 1052 college-‐aged individuals and recorded technology, user configuration, and posture. Technology was classified as small/large phones, tablets, or laptops. User configuration included sitting or standing. Posture included neck, spine, hips, shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrists. RESULTS: 63% of the observed individuals were using smartphones, 33.6% laptops, 2.5% tablets, and 1% cell phones. Across devices, 85% of individuals had a flexed neck, 73.3% had a flexed spine, 58.3% had neutral shoulder position, and 60.3% had non-‐neutral wrist posture. CONCLUSION: The identified user configuration from this study indicate that the upper extremities and the spine have a lot of non-‐neutral postures, which may be associated with increased risk of injury.
POSTURES DIFFERED BETWEEN LAPTOP AND SMARTPHONE n (%)
Smartphone
Laptop
663 (63%)
353 (34%)
p value
NECK Extended
32 (5%)
66 (19%)
Mobile Computing Device Usage and Posture In College Aged Adults: An Observational Study Nicholas Ing, PT/s; Kelsey Jonas, PT/s; Luz Stella Marin Ramirez, Sc.D.; Jack Dennerlein, PhD
BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE
• Mobile computing technology keeps changing every year! • New technology supports the use of non-‐traditional workstations .2 • Overuse may induced musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).1,3 • Non-‐neutral postures may be a risk factor.
OBJECTIVE
Describe variation in user configuration and user postures across different mobile computing technology.
HYPOTHESIS
• •
Hypothesis 1: While using mobile devices, we expect user configuration and upper extremity postures to differ across mobile computing devices. Hypothesis 2: When using a specific device, user trunk and upper extremity posture will differ across user configurations.
METHODS
• Design: Observational study of 18-‐25 year olds using mobile computing devices in Boston, MA. • 1052 individuals observed over 3 weeks in Winter 2016 in student centers, cafes, libraries, and common spaces • Checklist categorized for each user: • Technology (Device) • Configuration (Sit/stand, arms supported/unsupported, hand configuration) • Trunk and Upper extremity posture of the user (Neck, spine, shoulder, and wrist) • Multinomial logistic regression tested the stated hypotheses • Data from cellphone and tables were excluded because of the low numbers observed.
SMARTPHONES AND LAPTOPS DOMINATED
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION/RATIONALE: With the increased use of mobile computing devices and the changes in their form factor, there is concern for the development of computer-‐related musculoskeletal disorders with new user configurations. The objective of this study characterized trunk and upper extremity postures with potential risk factors, and tested differences associated with various mobile computing form factors (smartphone, cell phone, tablet, laptop). METHODS: Investigators observed 1052 college-‐aged individuals and recorded technology, user configuration, and posture. Technology was classified as small/large phones, tablets, or laptops. User configuration included sitting or standing. Posture included neck, spine, hips, shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrists. RESULTS: 63% of the observed individuals were using smartphones, 33.6% laptops, 2.5% tablets, and 1% cell phones. Across devices, 85% of individuals had a flexed neck, 73.3% had a flexed spine, 58.3% had neutral shoulder position, and 60.3% had non-‐neutral wrist posture. CONCLUSION: The identified user configuration from this study indicate that the upper extremities and the spine have a lot of non-‐neutral postures, which may be associated with increased risk of injury.
POSTURES DIFFERED BETWEEN LAPTOP AND SMARTPHONE n (%)
Smartphone
Laptop
663 (63%)
353 (34%)
p value
NECK Extended
32 (5%)
66 (19%)
