Pain and muscle activity of neck, shoulder, upper back, and forearm during touch screen tablet use by children

Children regularly use tablets in a variety of postures. Previous studies have shown that prolonged use of such an IT device increases the risk of musculoskeletal pain.

To investigate pain and muscle activity during tablet use by children in three different workstation positions-on the table with a case set, on a table, and on the lap.

Twenty five healthy and right-handed participants aged 10-12 years were recruited and assigned to play computer games for 15 minutes in each workstation. Pain(VAS) was measured at the neck, shoulder, upper back, and forearm regions immediately after tablet use. Electromyography (EMG) was measured at the cervical erector spinae (CES), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and wrist extensors (WE) muscles during the final two minutes.

Results showed that using a tablet on the table with a case set caused the least pain in the neck region (p < 0.05), compared with the use on the table and on the lap(which had pain scales of 0.37±0.86, 1.74±1.77, 1.72±1.90, respectively; mean±SD). EMG of cervical erector spinae during tablet use on the table with a case set was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those on the table and on the lap (muscle activity of 22.38±9.54,35.37±16.82, 35.29±13.30 respectively).

Tablet use on the table with a case set demonstrated a significantly lower severity of pain at the neck region than tablet use on the table and on the lap. To prevent musculoskeletal disorders, tablet use on the table with a case set is recommended as the optimal workstation for children.