Prevalence of Cervicothoracic Pain Associated with Online Classes among Undergraduate Students of Bahria University, Karachi: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Due to the pandemic and the requirement for social separation, this virtual learning platform has fundamentally changed and innovated the way we teach and engage. Students enrolled in distance education face significant immobility for extended periods and being attentive to lectures in anti-ergonomic positions can result in grip troubles in people associated with the musculoskeletal system. Objective: To find out the prevalence of cervicothoracic pain due to online classes among undergraduate students of Bahria University, Karachi. Methods: A cross-sectional study approach was used in this research to investigate the prevalence of Cervical-thoracic pain among undergraduate students. The questionnaire was distributed among a sample size of 309 students. The questionnaire covered demographics, posture care, ergonomic, and pain-related questions. A numeric pain rating scale was used to rate the pain intensity of subjects. Results: Participants were involved in this study with a mean age of 21.19 years (SD=1.58). The study reported that 63.1% (n=195) of participants have suffered from cervicothoracic pain. In addition, upon analysis, there was a significant association (.034) between cervicothoracic pain intensity and participants’ different positions they were attaining during online classes. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of Cervical-thoracic pain among Bahria University undergraduate students who engage in online classes. Most of the students were suffering from neck and upper back pain due to prolonged sitting while taking online classes. Moreover, most participants knew postural care and only a few participants were practicing postural care during online classes.