The Relationship of Poor Posture While Using Electronic Devices and Periscapular Shoulder Pain

BACKGROUND Periscapular pain involves the muscles surrounding the shoulder blade, which can result from trauma, overuse or repetitive use, and poor posture. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of periscapular pain and the association between it and seating posture while using electronic devices, utilizing the American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES). MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study conducted using an online questionnaire. The calculated sample size required 372 participants. The questionnaire was divided into 3 sections; sociodemographic information, risk factors for periscapular and shoulder pain, and ASES used for periscapular pain and disability assessment. RESULTS We included 379 patients. The lifetime prevalence of periscapular pain was 82.1%, and 48.5% reported current periscapular pain. Females were more likely to experience it (P value <.001). Most respondents who experienced periscapular pain worked in jobs that combined office and fieldwork (away from the office). Periscapular pain was significantly associated with forward tilt of the neck while using electronic devices (P=0.017). The mean ASES was 62.18. As age advances, worse ASESs were reported. CONCLUSIONS Periscapular shoulder pain is a very common and under-acknowledged problem among the general population, and poor posture while using an electronic device is significantly associated with periscapular pain.