Musculoskeletal-related disorders (MSRDS) and risk factors among students in a virtual learning environment: a cross-sectional study / [author]: Sicat, John Milton P., Santos, Paul Gerard J., Mercado, Jann Carlo B., Reformina, Gabriel Aux Rodner B., Fombuena, Depzel C., Recolizado, Adrian Carl C., Maniego Justin Mickel H. [co-author]: Richard Madariaga

Includes Appendix

ABSTRACT:

Background and Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the suspension of all traditional face-to-face education resulting in the shift to a virtual learning education. Studies have shown that using electronic devices has been linked to the prevalence of musculoskeletal-related disorders among students. The purpose of this cross-sectional correlational study was to determine the most prevalent MSRDs among FEU-NRMF college undergraduates in virtual learning environment.

Methods: A total of 280 FEU-NRMF students enrolled in the A.Y. 2021-2022 from physical therapy, pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory science, respiratory therapy, nutrition and dietetics, and radiologic technology were selected to participate through cluster random sampling. The participants received their e-questionnaire along with their consent via email. The questionnaire has 4 parts: demographic survey, Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test foe independence, and Spearman rank correlation at a=0.05.

Results: The overall prevalence of general MSRDs among the participants was 89%, with the neck (89%), lower back (87%), and upper back (81%) being the most prevalent regional MSRDs, respectively. Eighty-four percent of participants used laptops for their virtual classes, while 75% of the participants used their gadgets for virtual classes for > 8hours. There was a significant association between desktop use and general (x2=7.78, p=0.005), lower back (x2=10.25, p=0.04), and hip/buttocks (x2=3.86, p=0.049) MSRDs. There was a significant association between laptop use and general (x2=5.383, p=0.012), and hip/buttocks (x2=5,158, p=0.023) MSRDs. There was a significant association between tablet use and thigh MSRD (x2=3.985, p=0.046). there was a significant correlation between age and upper back (r=-0.148, p=0
013) and lower leg (r=-0.157, p=0.0009) MSRDs. There was a significant correlation between height and neck (r=-0.147, p=0.014) and upper back (r=-0.161, p=0.007) MSRDs. There was a significant correlation between weight and upper back (r=-0.195, p=0.001) and knee (r=0.164, p=0.006) MSRDs. There was a significant correlation between BMI and upper back (r=-0.137, p=-0.022) and knee (r=0.137, p=0.022) MSRDs. There was a significant correlation between frequency of usage and neck (r=0.148, p=0.013), upper back (r=0.176, p=0.003) and lower back (r=0.215, p=0.000) MSRDs. There was a significant correlation between perceived stress and all regional MSRDs, except the thigh region.

Discussion: All undergraduate programs were enrolled in a virtual learning setup, which eliminated the difference in activities for each field of practice. This led to high prevalence of MSRDs, and similarities in the most prevalent regional MSRDs across all programs, having the neck, upper back, and lower back on the top 3 regions affected. There was no significant relationship between MSRDs and undergraduate programs, level of physical activity, handedness, use of smartphones, and vices. Finally, use of desktops, laptops and tablets, frequency of usage, age, height, weight, BMI, and perceived stress were significant risk in developing regional MSRDs in a virtual learning environment.

School of Physical Therapy