Heavy Computer Use Puts Graduate Students at Risk for Pain, Study Shows

Computers are as common in college life today as pens and paper used to be. But intense use of computers involves health risks, a new study shows.

To learn whether or not computer use puts graduate students at risk for neck and upper body pain, COEH researchers and others surveyed more than 200 engineering graduate students at UC Berkeley. Nearly two-thirds of the students reported persistent neck or upper extremity pain (e.g., painful finger, hand, or wrist) due to computer use.

The students’ computer use increased from year to year. About one-third of first-year graduate students used a computer for more than 40 hours per week. By the fifth year of graduate study, more than half the students reported using a computer for more than 40 hours per week. Analysis of the survey responses showed that three factors were significantly associated with pain: female gender, a history of computer use for eight years or more, and computer use of more than 20 hours each week.

The study, based on a random sampling of students in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, is the first to examine patterns of computer use and associated musculoskeletal pain among graduate students. An earlier study of undergraduates by researchers at Harvard University found that over half the students reported symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders with computer use.

“Other research has shown that students with computer-related pain are reluctant to seek medical help until the condition keeps them from an important activity in their life. In keeping with these findings, only about one-third of the students we surveyed sought medical treatment,” said study director David Rempel.

Rempel holds a joint appointment at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco and heads up COEH’s Ergonomics Program. Other members of the research team included Eric Schlossberg, graduate student in industrial hygiene at UC Berkeley, and Sandra Morrow, resident in occupational medicine at UC San Francisco.

When asked what helped most to relieve their pain, the students surveyed said changing their keyboard or mouse, modifying their posture, and taking breaks. Those who sought medical care did not find it very helpful.

“Our findings suggest that we need to begin evaluating ways to reduce the risks for students who use computers more than 20 hours a week,” Rempel said. “Possible approaches for preventing computer-related musculoskeletal pain include training in appropriate work-rest patterns, workstation setup, and good working posture coupled with making appropriate equipment available.”