Alterations in cervical muscles' transverse relaxation times after a computer typing task: a quasi-experimental, magnetic resonance imaging study

Aims: With the advancement of modernization, the prevalence of occupations requiring extensive computer use has markedly increased. The heightened incidence of neck pain observed among individuals engaged in such occupations is thought to be associated with altered activation mechanisms of the cervical musculature. The aim of the present study is to investigate the changes in transverse (T2) relaxation times of cervical muscles after a computer typing task. Methods: Twenty-seven asymptomatic male students (mean age: 20.41±0.74 years) participated in the study. All participants were instructed to perform a computer-based task, in which they were asked to type the text displayed on the left laptop onto the right laptop as quickly as possible for 20 minutes. MRI scans were performed before and after the task. T2 relaxation times of individual muscles, as well as the ratios between deep and superficial flexor (FT2 ratio) and extensor (ET2 ratio) muscles, were measured (FT2 ratio=T2-deep flexor muscles/T2-superficial flexor muscles and ET2 ratio=T2 deep extensor muscles/T2-superficial extensor muscles). Results: After the task, T2 relaxation times of the superficial flexor and extensor muscles increased bilaterally (p0.05). Both the FT2 ratio and ET2 ratio decreased bilaterally (p