ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complications and recommend remedies to computer users at ISRA University, Hyderabad
Design:Descriptive cross-sectional study
Place and Duration: This study was conducted from October 2009 to March 2010 at ISRA University, Hyderabad
Methodology: One hundred computer users [54 males and 46 females] of Isra University were enrolled in this study. Through a questionnaire, data were collected and statistically evaluated using the Chi-square test. Furthermore, remedies [rest, physiotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDS] and muscle relaxant] were prescribed for relief, according to the grading of complications
Results: The frequency of musculoskeletal complications in either group [male or female] was 52.63% in those who had been in contact with computers for less than or equal to 2 hrs, 68.18% between 2-4 hrs, 81.48% between 4-6 hrs, and 93.75% more than 6 hrs, respectively. The frequency of musculoskeletal complications [neck pain, low backache, shoulder pain, and elbow and wrist pain] was graded according to a scale of pain ranging from grade I to grade V with respect to the number of hours spent with computers
Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that most subjects had complaints of musculoskeletal complications directly proportional to the extensive use of a computer. The pattern observed in evaluating pain on a grading scale suggests opportunities for remedies