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Mobile touch screen device use and associations with musculoskeletal symptoms and visual health in a nationally representative sample of Singaporean adolescents
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Type
Postprint
Citation
Toh, S. H., Coenen, P., Howie, E. K., Mukherjee, S., Mackey, D. A., & Straker, L. M. (2019). Mobile touch screen device use and associations with musculoskeletal symptoms and visual health in a nationally representative sample of Singaporean adolescents. Ergonomics, 62(6), 778-793. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2018.1562107
Author
Abstract
This study aimed to describe contemporary technology use, especially smartphones and tablets (mobile touch screen devices), and examine associations with musculoskeletal symptoms and visual health among adolescents in Singapore. A representative sample of 1884 adolescents (50.4% girls) from grades primary 5 to post-secondary (10–18 years old), recruited from 13 schools, completed an online questionnaire in class. Total technology use was high, with smartphone duration being highest (mean = 264 [SD = 243] min/day). Patterns of use, including multitasking and bout length, were influenced by gender, school level, type of device and activities. Musculoskeletal discomfort and visual symptoms were commonly reported. After adjusting for potential confounders, more hours/day of smartphone use was associated with increased risk of neck/shoulders, upper back, arms and wrist/hand discomfort (OR = 1.04[95%CI = 1.01–1.07] to 1.07[1.03–1.10]) and visual symptoms (OR = 1.05[1.02–1.08]), but was associated with decreased odds of myopia (OR = 0.97[0.94–0.99]). No significant associations were found for tablet use.
Date Issued
2019
DOI
10.1080/00140139.2018.1562107
Description
This is the final draft, after peer-review, of a manuscript published in Ergonomics. The published version is available online at http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00140139.2018.1562107