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Brink Y.1, Louw Q.1, Grimmer K.2, Jordaan E.3
1Stellenbosch University, Division of Physiotherapy, Cape Town, South Africa, 2University of South Australia, Division of Health Sciences, Adelaide, Australia, 3Medical Research Council of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
Background: There is evidence that consistent sitting for prolonged periods is associated with upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain (UQMP). It is unclear whether postural alignment is a significant risk factor.
Purpose: The aim of the prospective study (2010 - 2011) was to ascertain if three-dimensional sitting postural angles, measured in a real-life school computer classroom setting, predict seated-related UQMP.
Methods: Asymptomatic Grade 10 high-school students, aged 15 - 17 years, undertaking Computer Application Technology, were eligible to participate. Using the 3D Posture Analysis Tool, sitting posture was measured while students used desk-top computers. Posture was reported as five upper quadrant angles (Head flexion, Neck flexion; Craniocervical angle, Trunk flexion and Head lateral bending). The Computer Usage Questionnaire measured seated-related UQMP and hours of computer use. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children assessed psychosocial factors. Sitting posture, computer use and psychosocial factors were measured at baseline. UQMP was measured at six months and one-year follow-up.
Results: 211, 190 and 153 students participated at baseline, six months and one-year follow-up respectively. 34.2% students complained of seated-related UQMP during the follow-up period. Increased head flexion (HF) predicted seated-related UQMP developing over time for a small group of students with pain scores greater than the 90th pain percentile, adjusted for age, gender, BMI, computer use and psychosocial factors (p=0.003). The pain score increased 0.22 points per 1° increase in HF.
Conclusion(s): This study reports on the relationship between sitting posture and seated-related UQMP in computing high-school students. Increased HF was a predictor of seated-related UQMP developing over 12 months for a small group of adolescents with a high cumulative pain score.
Implications: Classroom ergonomics and postural hygiene should therefore focus on reducing large HF angles among computing adolescents.
Funding acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council of South Africa and Stellenbosch University.
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine
Ethics approval: Institutional ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University (N08/08/209). The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) provided permission.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
