MSDs and functional characteristics of the neck in office workers working with a laptop or desktop computer

Methods

A total of 110 office workers with a mean age of 41±10 participated. 45 office workers (73% female) were using a laptop and 65 office workers (86% female) a desktop computer. The prevalence of MSDs was recorded using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Active range of motion (AROM), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) force, joint position error (JPE), and pain-pressure threshold (PPT) of the neck were measured.

Results Laptop users had statistically significantly more MSDs in the right shoulder area on the day of participation (p<0.001, OR=4.47), during the previous 7 days (p<0.01, OR=3.74) and 6 months (p<0.01, OR=3.57). Laptop users had also significantly more left shoulder MSDs during the previous 7 days (p<0.05, OR=2.44). The prevalence of neck area MSDs was higher among laptop users, but not statistically significant.

Desktop computer users had more MSDs in the low back during the previous 6 months (p<0.05, OR=2.24). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the functional characteristics of the neck between the groups. Conclusions Using the laptop computer for work can cause a higher chance of developing MSDs in the neck and shoulder area, but might not have a long-term effect on the functional characteristics of the neck.