Postural, Physical and Musculoskeletal Impacts of Children using PEDs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Postural, Physical and Musculoskeletal (MSK) Impacts of Children using Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs): an observational case control study
IRAS ID
301202
Contact name
Anna Clark
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Over the last decade, the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) has increased rapidly in both children and adolescents. With this growth comes a need to understand the potential link between PED use and musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. Increased PEDs usage may have MSK consequences in adults, although current evidence related to children is sparse. From the evidence base related to adults, PED usage has been shown to be a risk factor that can be associated with MSK pain (Keown & Tuchin, 2018; Lamprecht & Padayachy, 2019). As such it can be surmised that increased PEDs usage may have musculoskeletal (MSK) consequences, although currently, the evidence related to children is sparce. To date, there has been little research undertaken on risk factors related to children’s use of PEDs (including desktop computers, laptops, game consoles, mobile phones, and tablets) and whether there is any relationship between this usage and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, there are a number of studies that have linked adult MSDs with the use of PEDs (e.g. length of time using the device, type of device, position in when using the device) (Cho et al., 2012; Celik et al., 2018, Gerard et al., 2018). Therefore, this research will examine if the risk factors associated with adult MSK pain are likely to be associated with children’s usage and their MSK pain in a similar way to adults.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0913
Date of REC Opinion
29 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion