The effect of computer use on pain, grip strength, and upper limb neural tension in female undergraduate students: A matched-pair study

BackgroundFemale university students frequently complain of computer-related neck pain after one hour of use, which may cause changes in grip strength and nerve tension in the upper extremity.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare neck pain intensity, grip strength and upper limb neural tension, before and after an hour of computer use between female students with and without neck pain.MethodThere were 36 female students recruited, which were then divided into the neck pain group (n = 18) and the asymptomatic group (n = 18). Pain intensity, hand grip strength, and neurodynamic testing of the upper extremity were evaluated before and after typing a document on a computer for one hour.ResultsThere was an increase in neck pain, a decrease in grip strength, and an increase in nerve tension of the median, radial, and ulnar nerves after computer use. However, when comparing between groups, the neck pain group had a significantly greater increase in the tension of only the right median and left ulnar nerves compared to the asymptomatic group.ConclusionThe current findings demonstrated that an hour spent on a computer can increase neck pain, reduce grip strength, and produce neural tension of upper extremities. However, female students with neck pain had greater increase tension within the median and ulnar nerves, which may result in upper extremity impairment.