Posture, Musculoskeletal Activities, and Possible Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Children Using Laptops or Tablet Computers for Educational Purposes: A Literature Review

Abstract

Educational ergonomics focuses on the interaction between educational performance and educational design. By improving the design or pointing out the possible problems, educational ergonomics can be utilized to have positive impacts on the student performance and thus on education process. Laptops and tablet computers are becoming widely used by school children and beginning to be used effectively for educational purposes. As the latest generation of laptops and tablet computers are mobile and lightweight compared to conventional personal computers, they support student-centred interaction-based learning. However, these technologies have been introduced into schools with minimal adaptations to furniture or attention to ergonomics. There are increasing reports of an association between increased musculoskeletal (MSK) problems in children and use of such technologies. Although children are among the users of laptops and tablet computers both in their everyday lives and at schools, the literature investigating MSK activities and possible MSK discomfort regarding children using portable technologies is limited. This study reviews the literature to identify published studies that investigated posture, MSK activities, and possible MSK discomfort among children using mobile technologies (laptops or tablet computers) for educational purposes. An electronic search of the literature published in English between January 1994 and January 2014 was performed in several databases. The literature search terms were identified and combined to search the databases. The search results that the resources investigating MSK outcomes of laptop or tablet use of children are very scarce. This review points out the research gaps in this field, and identifying areas for future studies.

Smart Device Use and Perceived Physical and Psychosocial Outcomes among Hong Kong Adolescents

“…Previous studies found that musculoskeletal problems related to handheld electronic device use were associated with inappropriate postures among children and adolescents [120], and sleep problems were associated with smartphone use before sleep [1]. …”

Effects of Netbook and Tablet Usage Postures on the Development of Fatigue, Discomfort and Pain

“…A number of studies have quantitatively measured postural variations during tablet usage and compared the results with desktop and/or laptop usage [4,5]. Compared with desktop computer usage, tablet usage is associated with more flexed and asymmetrical spinal postures, more flexed and elevated shoulders, and greater muscle activity around the neck [6][7][8].…”

A socioeconomic related 'digital divide' exists in how, not if, young people use computers

“…modal daily use for lowest NSES decile were: TV usual duration 2–5 hours, home electronic game usual duration 1–2 hours, mobile phone usual duration 30–60 minutes), they are potentially accumulating significant exposure to sustained postures while using these various forms of IT. Sustained postures have been shown to relate to musculoskeletal discomfort with use of mobile phones, home computers, electronic games, and laptop/tablet computers by young people [11,32–33]. …”

“…For example, in regard to academic outcomes, Lei [4] found a negative association between entertainment/exploration technology use and student grade point average. In relation to musculoskeletal health and development, prolonged laptop and tablet computer use has been associated with young people reporting musculoskeletal discomfort [11]. Conversely, better school readiness and cognitive development have been observed in children who use a computer for 15–20 minutes every day than in those who do not [12].…”