THE PREVALENCE OF REDUCED UPPER CERVICAL MOBILITY AND NECK DISABILITY AMONG UNIVERSITY COMPUTER WORKERS

BACKGROUND: Prolonged computer use raises the risk of neck disability and decreased upper cervical mobility, particularly for university employees. Musculoskeletal imbalances brought on by repetitive and static postures can result in discomfort, limited mobility, and functional limitations. AIM : This study aims to determine the prevalence of reduced upper cervical mobility and neck disability in university computer workers. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 university computer workers aged between 18 to 65 years. The assessment was carried out using the cervical flexion-rotation test to assess restriction in upper cervical mobility and the Neck Disability Index questionnaire to assess neck disability in university computer workers. RESULT: In this study conducted among 100 computer workers, the mean age of the participants was 37.03 years, and the average daily computer use duration was 6.69 hours. During the cervical flexion-rotation test, 20% of the participants were found to have limitations in upper cervical mobility. An assessment through the Neck Disability Index (NDI) revealed that 52% of the participants reported no disability, 39% had mild disability, 8% showed moderate disability, and 1% experienced severe disability, while none reported complete disability. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that a small portion of computer workers experience upper cervical mobility limitations and varying degrees of neck disability. While over half reported no disability, a notable percentage exhibited mild to severe impairments, highlighting the need for ergonomic interventions and preventive measures. Keywords: university computer workers, Cervical flexion-rotation test, Neck Disability Index questionnaire.