title: Musculoskeletal impact of the use of various types of electronic devices on university students in Hong Kong: An evaluation by means of self-reported questionnaire.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the increasingly widespread popularity of electronic devices, there are limited comprehensive studies on the effects of usage and exposure to multiple electronic devices over extended periods of time. Therefore, this study explored the cumulative musculoskeletal implications of exposure to various electronic devices among university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-reported questionnaire was administered in the university in Hong Kong and students provided information about the frequency and duration of electronic devices use, including computers, mobile phones and game consoles, and reported on any musculoskeletal pain or discomfort that may relate to electronic devices usage in the immediate 12 months prior to the survey date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 503 university students (59% males and 41% females) aged 18-25 years completed the questionnaire. The results showed that 251 (49.9%) respondents reported upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly in the neck and shoulder regions. Among these, 155 (61.8%) indicated that their discomfort was related to electronic device usage. Statistically significant differences in exposure to electronic devices and musculoskeletal outcomes between genders were found (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of electronic devices and habitual postures were associated with musculoskeletal problems among university students in Hong Kong. This phenomenon highlights the urgent need for ergonomics education and recommendations to increase students' awareness of musculoskeletal wellbeing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors.forename: Eugenia H C
authors.initials: EHC
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Electronic address: peter.white@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors.forename: Christopher W K
authors.initials: CWK
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Electronic devices; Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal disorders; Posture; University students