Upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and functional impairment associated with computer use among college students.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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 < or = 1 hour of computer use were more likely to report symptom-related functional limitation than others.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hupert
Nathaniel
N
Department of Public Health, Division of Outcomes and Effectiveness Research, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, NY, USA. nah2005@med.cornell.edu
Amick
Benjamin C
BC
Fossel
Anne H
AH
Coley
Christopher M
CM
Robertson
Michelle M
MM
Katz
Jeffrey N
JN
D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013334:Students; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology