The Effect of Prolonged Time of Tablet Usage on Postural Alignment in Children

Authors

  • Marwa M. Ibrahim Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University
  • Nadia L. Radwan Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24203/ajas.v6i6.5625

Keywords:

Smart Handheld devices, Tablets, Musculoskeletal disorders, children, Postural analysis.

Abstract

Background: Smart handheld devices are nowadays forming a great impact on people’s health. The prolonged use of these devices is known to be associated with musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limb. The aim of this study: was to examine the effect of prolonged usage of tablets on postural alignment in children.

Methods: 60 female children,  their age ranged from 7 to 10 years, were participated in this study, and they were randomly divided equally into 2 groups according to the total interrupted time spent using the tablets, reported by their parents. Group (1) those who use tablets less than 3hours per day, and group (2) those who use tablets from 3 to 6 hours per day. Assessments and comparisons between the two groups were applied by using the bio photogrammetric postural analysis to measure the Craniovertebral angle (CVA), The Head tilt angle (HTA), Forward Shoulder Angle (FSA), Thoracic kyphotic angle (TKA), Lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) and Pelvic tilt angle (PTA).

Results:

The findings indicated significant differences between the examined groups regarding the CVA, HTA, FSA,TKA, while there were no significant differences could be recorded relative to LLA and PTA. Conclusion:

Prolonged sitting posture for children who use tablets can produce postural alignment changes such as FHP, rounded shoulders and increased kyphosis with predicted other spinal changes at lumbar and pelvic regions and associated forward musculoskeletal disorders.

 

References

Werth AJ, Babski-Reeves K: Effects of Portable Computing Devices on Posture, Muscle Activation Levels and Efficiency, Applied Ergonomics; 45(6), pp. 1603-1609, 2014.

Berolo S, Wells RP, Amick BC: Musculoskeletal symptoms among mobile hand-held device users and their relationship to device use: a preliminary study in a Canadian university population. Appl Ergon; 42: 371-378, 2011.

Hakala PT, Rimpela AH, Saarni LA, Salminen JJ: Frequent computer-related activities increase the risk of neck-shoulder and low back pain in adolescents. Euro J of Public Health; 16(5):536-41,2006.

Griegel-Morris P, Larson K, Meuller-Klaus K, Oatis CA: Incidence of common postural abnormalities in the cervical, shoulder, and thoracic regions and their association with pain in two age groups of healthy subjects. Phys Ther.; 72:425-431, 1992.

Geldhof E, Cardon G, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Daneels L, Coorevits P, Vanderstraeten G, De Clerq D: Effects of back posture education on elementary schoolchildren’s back function. Eur Spine J.; 16:829-839, 2007.

Olsson K, Blomkvist A, Beckung E: Pressure mapping as a complement in clinical sitting analysis in children during activity. Adv Physiother; 10:76-84,2008.

Cote P, Cassidy JD, Carroll L: The factors associated with neck pain and its related disability in the Saskatchewan population. Spine; 25(9):1109-17,2000.

Lennon J, Shealy CN, Cady RK, Matta W, Cox R, Simpson WF: Postural and respiratory modulation of autonomic function, pain, and health. Am J of Pain Management ; 4:36-9,1994.

Pynt J, Mackey MG, Higgs J.: Kyphosed seated postures: extending concepts of postural health beyond the office. J Occup Rehabil.; 18(1): 35-45,2008.

Corlett EN: Sitting as a hazard. Safety Science; 46: 815-821, 2008.

Rosenfield M , Bababekova Y, Hue JE, Huang RR: Font size and viewing distance of handheld smart phones. Optometry and Vision Science; 88(7):795-797, 2011.

Gold JE, Driban JB, Thomas N, Chakravarty T, Channell V, Komaroff E: Postures, typing strategies, and gender differences in mobile device usage: An observational study. Appl Ergon; 43(2):408-12, 2012.

Psihogios JP, Sommerich CM, Mirka GA, Moon SD: A field evaluation of monitor placement effects in VDT users. Applied Ergonomics.; 32(4): 313-325, 2001.

Straker L, Burgess-Limerick R, Pollock C, Murray K, NettoK, Coleman J, et al.: The impact of computer display height and desk design on 3D posture during information technology work by young adults. J Electromyogr Kinesiol.; 18(2):336-349, 2008.

Ruivo RM, Pezarat-Correia P, Carita AI: Cervical and shoulder postural assessment of adolescents between 15 and 17 years old and association with upper quadrant pain. Braz J Pys Ther.;18(4):364-71, 2014.

Bonney RA, Corlett EN.: Head posture and loading of the cervical spine. Appl Ergon; 33: 415-417, 2002

Caneiro JP, O'Sullivan P, Burnett A, Barach A, O'Neil D, Tveit O, Olafsdottir K: The influence of different sitting postures on head/neck posture and muscle activity. Man. Ther ;15, 54-60,2010.

Falla D, Jull G , Russell T, Vicenzino B, Hodges P: Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain. Phys. Ther; 87, 408-417, 2007.

O'Sullivan P, Dankaerts W , Burnett AF, Farrell GT, Jefford E, Naylor CS., O'Sullivan KJ: Effect of different upright sitting postures on spinal-pelvic curvature and trunk muscle activation in a pain-free population. Spine (Phila Pa1976) 31, E707-E712, 2006.

Sacco ICN, Alibert S, Queiroz BWC, Pripas D, Kieling I, Kimura AA, et al: Reliability of photogrammetry in relation to goniometry for postural lower limb assessment. Rev. Bras. Fisioter.;11(5):411-7,2007.

Ruivo RM, Pezarat-Correia P, Carita AI: Intrarater and interrater reliability of photographic measurement of upper body standing posture of adolescents. J Manipulative PhysioTher.;38(1):74-80,2015.

Han-suk Lee, Hyung-Kuk Chung and Sun-wook Park: The analysis of severity of forward head posture with observation and photographic method. J. Korean Soc Phys Med.; 10(3):227-235, 2015.

Lunes DH, Monte-Raso W, Santos CBA, Castro FA, and Salgado HS: Postural influence of high heels among adult women: analysis by computerized photogrammetry. Rev Bras Fisioter.; 12(6): 454-9. 2008.

Diab AA, Moustafa IM.: The efficacy of forward head correction on nerve root function and pain in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: a randomized trial. Clin Rehabil. Apr;26(4):351-61,2012.

Thigpen CA, Padua DA, Michener LA, Guskiewicz K, Giuliani C, Keener JD, et al: Head and shoulder posture affect scapular mechanics and muscle activity in overhead tasks. J ElectromyogrKinesiol. Aug; 20(4):701-9, 2010.

Priscila W, Eliane CC, Jovana M, Juliana CS, Maria ET: Craniocervical posture: cephalometric and biophotogrammetric analysis. Braz j oral Sci.;11(3):416-421, 2012.

Salahzadeh Z, Maroufi N, Ahmadi A, et al: Assessment of forward head posture in females: observational and photogrammetry methods. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil.;27(2):131-9,2014.

Pamela KL, Norkin CC: Joint structre & Function: A comprehensive analysis. Philadelphia. F.A. Davis Company,2011.

Vasavada AN, Nevins DD, Monda SM, Hughes E, Lin DC: Gravitational demand on the neck musculature during tablet computer use. Ergonomics 58,990-1004 ,2015.

Brink Y, Crous LC, Louw QA, Grimmer-Somers K, Schreve K: The association between postural alignment and psychosocial factors to upper quadrant pain in high school students: a prospective study. Man Ther; Dec;14(6):647-53,2009.

Albin T, McLoone H: Effect of tablet tilt and display conditions on user posture, performance and preferences. Proceedings of the 10th Applied Ergonomics Conference; March 13-15; Dallas, TX: Institute of Industrial Engineers, 2007.

Shin G, Hegde S: User-preferred position of computer displays: effects of display size. Hum Factors.; 52(5): 574-585,2010.

De Wall M, Van Riel MPJM, Aghina JCFM, Burdorf FA, Snijders CJ: Improving the sitting posture of CAD/CAM workers by increasing VDU monitor working height. Ergonomics.;(35):427-36,1992.

Chansirinukor W, Wilson D, Grimmer K, Dansie B: Effectsof backpacks on students: measurement of cervical and shoulder posture. Aust J Physiother. Jan;47(2):110-6, 2001.

Kuo YL, Tully EA, GaleaMP: Video analysis of sagittal spinal posture in healthy young and older adults. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.; 32(3): 210-5,2009.

Van Niekerk SM, Louw Q, Vaughan C, Grimmer-Somers K, Schreve K: Photographic measurement of upper body sitting posture of high school students: a reliability and validity study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. Jan;9:113,2008.

Marcus M, Gerr F, Monteilh C , Ortiz DJ, Gentry E, Cohen S, Edwards A, Ensor C, Kleinbaum D: A prospective study of computer users; ii. Postural risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. American journal of industrial medicine; 41, 236-249 ,2002.

Lau KT, Cheung KY, Chan KB, et al: Relationships between sagittal postures of thoracic and cervical spine, presence of neck pain, neck pain severity and disability. Man Ther.;15(5):457-62,2010.

Quek J, Pua YH, Clark RA, et al: Effects of thoracic kyphosis and forward head posture on cervical range of motion in older adults. Man Ther.;18(1):65-71,2013.

Szeto GP, Straker L, Raine S: A field comparison of neck and shoulder postures in symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers. Appl Ergon.;33(1):75-84, 2002.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2018-12-19

How to Cite

Ibrahim, M. M., & Radwan, N. L. (2018). The Effect of Prolonged Time of Tablet Usage on Postural Alignment in Children. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.24203/ajas.v6i6.5625