Effects of 1-hour computer use on ulnar and median nerve conduction velocity and muscle activity in office workers.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of 1-hour computer use on ulnar and median nerve conduction velocity and muscle activity in office workers with symptomatic neck pain and asymptomatic office workers. METHODS: A total of 40 participants, both male and female office workers, with symptomatic neck pain (n = 20) and asymptomatic (n = 20), were recruited. Pain intensity, ulnar nerve conduction velocity, median nerve conduction velocity, and muscle activity were determined before and after 1 hour of computer use. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in pain intensity in the neck area in both groups (P < .001). The symptomatic neck pain group revealed a significant decrease in the sensory nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve (P = .008), whereas there was no difference in the median nerve conduction velocity (P > .05). Comparing before and after computer use, the symptomatic neck pain group had less activity of the semispinalis muscles and higher activity of the anterior scalene muscle than the asymptomatic group (P < .05). The trapezius and wrist extensor muscles showed no significant differences in either group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found signs of neuromuscular deficit of the ulnar nerve, semispinalis muscle, and anterior scalene muscle after 1 hour of computer use among office workers with symptomatic neck pain, which may indicate the risk of neuromuscular impairment of the upper extremities. The recommendation of resting, and encouraging function and flexibility of the neuromuscular system after 1 hour of computer use should be considered.

The association between smartphone and tablet usage and children development.

Smartphone and tablet usage duration may relate to problems with early development in children. It is imperative to determine the appropriate duration of its usage by children. The purpose of the study was 1) to investigate the correlation between child development and smartphone and tablet usage duration, 2) to study the correlation of smartphone and tablet usage duration between children and their caregivers, and 3) to correlate child development and other factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Eighty-five community children with a mean age of 4.05 ± 0.91 years were recruited as study subjects. Development was assessed using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II, which includes gross motor, language, fine motor-adaptive and personal-social developments. Subsequently, details of smartphone and tablet usage for the next seven days were recorded. The average duration of smartphone and tablet usage was 82.78 ± 62.82 min/day. In addition, 32.94%, 11.76%, 9.42%, and 2.35%, of children were classified as suspected fine motor-adaptive, personal-social, language, and gross motor development, respectively. The main findings revealed a highly significant correlation between a child's smartphone and tablet usage duration and their gross motor development. Children's smartphone and tablet usage duration showed a positive significant correlation with the duration spent on smartphones and tablets by mothers and relatives. Father's medical history and family income showed a significant correlation with child development. Thus, caregivers must pay attention to the smartphone and tablet usage time of children, mothers and relatives to prevent abnormal development in children.

Early developmental milestones and age of independent walking in orphans compared with typical home-raised infants.

AIM: Early gross motor development is a major indicator of global milestones in the first year of life, affecting the walking ability of a child. There has been limited research reporting on early motor development and the age of independent walking of orphaned infants compared to typical home-raised infants. The purpose of this study was to compare the mean scores of early gross motor movement at 4, 6 and 8months of age and at the age of walking attainment of typically raised infants and orphaned infants. In addition, we looked to compare the walking age between these same infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 59 typical home-raised infants and 62 orphans. Their gross motor development was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). The age of walking attainment was also prospectively monitored and ascertained. The Student's independent t-test was used to analyse the differences of the AIMS scores at 4, 6 and 8months of age and at the age of independent walking between the two groups. RESULTS: The orphans showed significantly lower AIMS scores at 4, 6 and 8months of age and the age of independent walking (P-value<0.05). The orphan group had a 5-month older mean age of walking attainment (15.0±4.2months) compared with typical home-raised infants (9.9±1.4months). CONCLUSION: Orphans have delays in early gross motor development and walk independently at an older age, compared with home-raised infants.