title: Upper extremities and spinal musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors in students using computers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of computer usage on the musculoskeletal system discomforts (MSD) of Turkish university students, the possible risk factors and study implications (SI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised a total of 871 students. Demographic information was recorded and the Student Specific Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (SsCMDQ) was used to evaluate musculoskeletal system discomforts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The neck, lower back and upper back areas were determined to be the most affected areas and percentages for SI were 21.6%, 19.3% and 16.3% respectively. Significant differences were found to be daily computer usage time for the lower back, total usage time for the neck, being female and below the age of 21 years (p<0.05) had an increased risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neck, lower back and upper back areas were found to be the most affected areas due to computer usage in university students. Risk factors for MSD were seen to be daily and total computer usage time, female gender and age below 21 years and these were deemed to cause study interference.
authors: Bilge Basakci Calik, PT, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors: Bilge Basakci
authors: BB
authors: Calik
authors: Nesrin Yagci, PT, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors: Nesrin
authors: N
authors: Yagci
authors: Suleyman Gursoy, PT, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors: Suleyman
authors: S
authors: Gursoy
authors: Mehmet Zencir, MD, Professor, Department of Public Health, Pamukkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey. School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Zencir
keywords: Musculoskeletal discomfort; computer usage; students