Cumulative IT Use Is Associated with Psychosocial Stress Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design and Participants
2.2. Questionnaire Design
2.3. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Cumulative Exposure to IT Devices
3.2. Musculoskeletal Discomfort
3.3. Psychosocial Stress Factors
3.4. Association of IT Use, Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Psychosocial Stress Factors
4. Discussion
4.1. Cumulative Exposure to IT
4.2. Relationship of IT Use, Workstyle and Musculoskeletal Discomforts
4.3. Use of Touchscreen Devices
4.4. Limitations of Study and Suggestions for Future Research
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Demographic Factors | Whole Group | Males (n = 140) | Females (n = 145) |
---|---|---|---|
Age | |||
18–25 | 77 | 27 | 50 |
26–30 | 54 | 28 | 26 |
31–35 | 48 | 26 | 22 |
36–40 | 36 | 20 | 16 |
41–45 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
46–50 | 30 | 18 | 12 |
>50 | 15 | 8 | 7 |
missing | 4 | 1 | 3 |
Body build | |||
Height (cm) | 166.7 ± 8.9 | 173.2 ± 6.4 a | 160.4 ± 6.2 a |
Weight (kg) | 61.4 ± 13.6 | 69.6 ± 12.4 b | 53.2 ± 9.3 b |
Work status (n = 278) | |||
Working full-time | 221 | 117 | 104 |
Studying full-time | 57 | 21 | 36 |
Others/Missing | 7 | 2 | 5 |
Employment sector (n = 279) | |||
Banking | 13 | 5 | 8 |
Food | 9 | 6 | 3 |
Construction | 11 | 9 | 2 |
Manufacturing | 7 | 2 | 5 |
Education | 18 | 11 | 7 |
Healthcare | 71 | 27 | 44 |
Sales | 14 | 8 | 6 |
Others | 88 | 51 | 37 |
Missing | 6 | 2 | 4 |
Handedness (n = 279) | |||
Left | 20 | 13 | 7 |
Right | 259 | 123 | 136 |
Missing | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Sit in office all day | |||
Yes | 151 | 70 | 81 |
Exercise regularly (n = 285) | |||
Never | 14 | 4 | 10 |
Occasionally | 154 | 55 | 99 |
1–2×/week | 82 | 60 | 22 |
≥3×/week | 31 | 19 | 12 |
Missing | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Total Number of Respondents (n, %) | <1 h | 1–2 h | 2–4 h | 4–6 h | 6–8 h | >8 h | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Desktop Computer | 225 (78.9%) | 34 (11.9%) | 38 (13.3%) | 40 (14.0%) | 36 (12.6%) | 43 (15.1%) | 34 (11.9) |
Laptop Computer | 146 (51.2%) | 52 (18.2%) | 44 (15.4%) | 27 (9.5%) | 15 (5.3%) | 6 (2.1%) | 2 (0.7%) |
Mobile Phone (Keypad) | 69 (24.2%) | 42 (14.7%) | 15 (5.3%) | 5 (1.8%) | 1 (0.4%) | 4 (1.4%) | 2 (0.7%) |
Mobile Phone (Smartphones) | 256 (89.8%) | 50 (17.5%) | 87 (30.5%) | 54 (18.9%) | 32 (11.2%) | 13 (4.6%) | 20 (7.0%) |
Tablet Computers | 89 (31.2%) | 35 (12.3%) | 32 (11.2%) | 12 (4.2%) | 6 (2.1%) | 1 (0.4%) | 3 (1.1%) |
Handheld Electronic Game Devices | 50 (17.5) | 37 (13.0%) | 9 (3.2%) | 2 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 2 (0.7%) |
Smartphones (n = 287) | Tablet Computers (n = 72) | |
---|---|---|
How Long Since Used | ||
0–6 months | 50 (17.4%) * | 21 (29.2%) * |
6–12 months | 65 (22.6%) | 24 (33.3%) |
1–2 years | 104 (36.2%) | 22 (30.6%) |
2–3 years | 39 (13.6%) | 5 (6.9%) |
>3 years | 29 (10.1%) | 0 (0.0%) |
Hours Used per Day | ||
0–1 h | 52 (18.1%) | 20 (27.8%) |
1–2 h | 102 (35.5%) | 30 (41.7%) |
2–4 h | 96 (33.4%) | 20 (27.8%) |
>4 h | 36 (12.5%) | 2 (2.8%) |
Where Used | ||
At work | 108 (37.6%) | 14 (19.4%) |
At home | 163 (56.8%) | 54 (75.0%) |
Public transport/car | 217 (75.6%) | 20 (27.8%) |
Others (e.g. restaurant) | 120 (41.8%) | 17 (23.6%) |
Tasks Performed | ||
Type/text | 156 (54.4%) | 18 (25.0%) |
Check email | 134(46.7%) | 30 (41.7%) |
Surf www | 202 (70.4%) | 54 (75.0%) |
Graphic work | 3 (1.0%) | 1 (1.4%) |
Play game | 153 (53.3%) | 40 (55.6%) |
Photo | 136 (47.4%) | 4 (5.8%) |
Movie/TV | 89 (31.0%) | 39 (54.2%) |
Read book | 125 (43.6%) | 31 (43.1%) |
Listen to music | 130 (45.3%) | 15 (20.8%) |
Others | 18 (6.3%) | 2 (2.8%) |
Viewing Angle | ||
At eye level | 49 (17.1%) | 21 (29.2%) |
Below eye level | 234 (81.5%) | 49 (68.1%) |
Above eye level | 1 (0.0%) | 2 (2.8%) |
Forearm Position | ||
Rest on table | 48 (16.7%) | 20 (27.8%) |
Rest on laps | 36 (12.5%) | 24 (33.3%) |
Arms in mid-air | 196 (68.3%) | 22 (30.6%) |
others | 5 (1.7%) | 6 (8.3%) |
Input Style | ||
Right thumb | 56 (19.5%) | 6 (8.3%) |
Right index finger | 168 (58.5%) | 49 (68.1%) |
Left thumb | 8 (2.7%) | 0 (0.0%) |
Left index finger | 3 (1.0%) | 3 (4.2%) |
Both thumbs and index fingers | 26 (9.1%) | 6 (8.3%) |
All fingers evenly | 16 (5.6%) | 8 (11.1%) |
Question | Neck | Shoulder | Upper Back | Elbow | Wrist/Hand |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(n = 206) | (n = 186) | (n = 123) | (n = 90) | (n = 132) | |
Discomfort Rating (0–10) (mean(sd)) | 3.09 ± 2.68 | 2.90 ± 2.77 | 1.76 ± 2.55 | 1.13 ± 2.15 | 1.65 ± 2.32 |
Duration of Discomfort in Last 12 Months | |||||
1–7 Days | 19 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
8–30 Days | 14 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
>30 Days | 16 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
1–3 Months | 8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
3–6 Months | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
>6 Months | 15 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 3 |
Body Region with Symptoms (Yes/No) | Factor | Significance (p Value) | Odds Ratio (OR) | 95% CI (Lower to Upper Bound) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Neck | Laptop Time | 0.009 * | 0.819 | 0.705–0.951 |
Phone (keypad) Time | 0.027 * | 0.742 | 0.569–0.967 | |
Phone (touchscreen) Time | 0.078 | 0.915 | 0.830–1.010 | |
WS Subscale: Work Through Pain | 0.001 * | 1.108 | 1.045–1.174 | |
Constant | 0.579 | 1.200 | ||
Shoulder | Desktop Time | 0.037 * | 1.094 | 1.005–1.191 |
Phone (Keypad) Time | 0.042 * | 0.770 | 0.598–0.991 | |
Phone (Touchscreen) Time | 0.018 * | 0.880 | 0.805–0.980 | |
WS Subscale: Work Through Pain | 0.001 ** | 1.111 | 1.046–1.180 | |
WS Subscale: Mood | 0.093 | 1.186 | 0.972–1.448 | |
Constant | 0.033 * | 0.464 | ||
Upper Back | Phone (Keypad) Time | 0.041 * | 0.463 | 0.221–0.968 |
WS Subscale: Work Through Pain | 0.029 * | 1.069 | 1.007–1.135 | |
WS Subscale: Self-Imposed Workpace | 0.016 * | 1.160 | 1.028–1.309 | |
constant | 0.000 ** | 0.169 | ||
Elbow | WS subscale: Work through pain | 0.007 ** | 1.078 | 1.021–1.138 |
Constant | 0.000 ** | |||
Wrist/hand | Desktop Time | 0.015 * | 1.103 | 1.019–1.193 |
Laptop Time | 0.015 * | 0.808 | 0.681–0.960 | |
Phone (keypad) Time | 0.059 | 0.735 | 0.534–1.012 | |
WS subscale: Work Through Pain | 0.001 ** | 1.093 | 1.035–1.154 | |
Constant | 0.000 ** | 0.290 |
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Share and Cite
So, B.C.L.; Cheng, A.S.K.; Szeto, G.P.Y. Cumulative IT Use Is Associated with Psychosocial Stress Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121541
So BCL, Cheng ASK, Szeto GPY. Cumulative IT Use Is Associated with Psychosocial Stress Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017; 14(12):1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121541
Chicago/Turabian StyleSo, Billy C. L., Andy S. K. Cheng, and Grace P. Y. Szeto. 2017. "Cumulative IT Use Is Associated with Psychosocial Stress Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14, no. 12: 1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121541