Adolescent Health: Frequent Computer-Related Activities Increase the Risk of Neck-Shoulder and Low Back Pain in Adolescents

Background: Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) & low back pain (LBP) increased among adolescents in the 1990s & the beginning of 2000. A potential risk factor for this increase is the use of information & communication technology. We studied how the use of computers, the Internet, & mobile pho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of public health 2006-10, Vol.16 (5), p.536-541
Main Authors: Hakala, Paula T, Rimpela, Arja H, Saarni, Lea A, Salminen, Jouko J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Back pain
Health
Leisure activities
Physical activity
Videogames
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background: Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) & low back pain (LBP) increased among adolescents in the 1990s & the beginning of 2000. A potential risk factor for this increase is the use of information & communication technology. We studied how the use of computers, the Internet, & mobile phones, playing digital games & viewing television are related to NSP & LBP in adolescents. Methods: Mailed survey with nationally representative samples of 14-, 16-, & 18-year-old Finns in 2003 (n = 6003, response rate 68%). The outcome variables were weekly NSP & LBP. Results: NSP was perceived by 26% & LBP by 12%. When compared with non-users, the risk of NSP was 1.3 (adjusted odds ratios) when using computers >2-3 h/day, & 1.8 when using 4-5 h/day; 2.5 when using computers >42 h/week, & 1.7 when using the Internet >42 h/week. Compared with non-users, the risk of LBP was 2.0 when using computers >5 h/day, 1.7 when using >42 h/week, 1.8 when using the Internet >42 h/week, & 2.0 when playing digital games >5 h/day. Times spent on digital gaming, viewing television, & using mobile phones were not associated with NSP, nor were use of mobile phones & viewing television with LBP after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Frequent computer-related activities are an independent risk factor for NSP & LBP. Daily use of computers exceeding 2-3 h seems to be a threshold for NSP & exceeding 5 h for LBP. Computer-related activities may explain the increase of NSP & LBP in the 1990s & the beginning of 2000. Tables, References. Adapted from the source document.
ISSN:1101-1262
DOI:10.1093/eurpub/ckl025