title: Issues about home computer workstations and primary school children in Hong Kong: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  All around the world, there is a rising trend of computer use among young children especially at home; yet the computer furniture is usually not designed specifically for children's use. In Hong Kong, this creates an even greater problem as most people live in very small apartments in high-rise buildings. Most of the past research literature is focused on computer use in children in the school environment and not about the home setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present pilot study aimed to examine ergonomic issues in children's use of computers at home in Hong Kong, which has some unique home environmental issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen children (six male, nine female) aged 8-11 years and their parents were recruited by convenience sampling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were asked to provide information on their computer use habits and related musculoskeletal symptoms. Participants were photographed when sitting at the computer workstation in their usual postures and joint angles were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants used computers frequently for less than two hours daily and the majority shared their workstations with other family members. Computer furniture was designed more for adult use and a mismatch of furniture and body size was found. Ergonomic issues included inappropriate positioning of the display screen, keyboard, and mouse, as well as lack of forearm support and suitable backrest. These led to awkward or constrained postures while some postural problems may be habitual. Three participants reported neck and shoulder discomfort in the past 12 months and 4 reported computer-related discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inappropriate computer workstation settings may have adverse effects on children's postures. More research on workstation setup at home, where children may use their computers the most, is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Py Szeto
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Macy Mei Sze
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Winky Wing Yu
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Sze
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Irene Sin Ting
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Cyrus Chak Fai
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Felix Wai Kit
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Ergonomics; musculoskeletal disorders; posture