Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes related to computer and video game use in adolescents

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes in adolescents and associate them to computer and video game use. A cross-sectional study was performed on the entire adolescent population (n=833) of a private situated in the city of São Paulo. The research included a questionnaire and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. Statistical analysis was carried out with Fisher, chi-square, Mann Whitney tests and logistic regression. A total of 791 adolescent was evaluated. A computer was used by 99% and video games by 58%. Pain was reported by 312 (39.4%) students: 23% complained of back pain, 9% of upper limb pain, 4% of diffuse pain and 4% of pain in the trapezium muscle. A clinical examination was carried out in 359 students, and one or more musculoskeletal pain syndromes were present in 56 students (15.6%): benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendonitis in 2% and fibromyalgia in 1%. In the multivariate analysis, the logistical regression showed that the independent variables in the prediction of pain were sex [odds ratio (OR): 2.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.33–3.61] and age (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07–1.28) and that the prediction of musculoskeletal pain syndromes were sex (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.69–6.22) and number of days a week using the computer (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05–1.42). However, the variations in the dependent variables by the mathematical regression models were low. Despite the frequent use of computer and video games among adolescents, this was not associated with the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aftimos S (1989) Myofascial pain in children. N Z Med J 102:440–441

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Arroyo I, Brewer EJ, Giannini EH (1998) Arthritis, artralgia and hipermobility of the joints in schoolchildren. J Rheumatol 15:978–980

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bates T, Grunwaldt E (1958) Myofascial pain in childhood. J Pediatr 53:198–209

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Beighton P, Solomon L, Soskolne CL (1973) Articular mobility in an African population. Ann Rheum Dis 32:413–418

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Burke A, Peper E (2002) Cumulative trauma disorder risk for children using computer products: results of a pilot investigation with a student convenience sample. Public Health Rep 117:350–357

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Clark P, Burgos-Vargas R, Medina-Palma C, Lavielle P, Marina FF (1998) Prevalence of fibromialgia in children: a clinical study of Mexican children. J Rheumatol 25:2009–2014

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cleary AG, McKendrick H, Sills JA (2002) Hand-arm vibration syndrome may be associated with prolonged use of vibrating computer games. BMJ 324:301

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ehrmann Feldman D, Shier I, Rossignol M (2002) Risk factors for the development of neck and upper limb pain in adolescents. Spine 27:523–528

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Fine PG (1987) Myofascial trigger point pain in children. J Pediatr 111:547–548

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gerr F, Marcus M, Monteilh C (2004) Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders among computer users: lesson learned from the role of posture and keyboard use. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 14:25–31

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hagberg M (1996) ABC of work related disorders: neck and arm disorders. BMJ 313:419–422

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hair JF, Anderson RE, Tatham RL (1995) Multivariate data analysis with readings. 4nd edn. Prentice-Hall, New York

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hennekens CH, Buring JE (1987) Epidemiology in medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady D, Hearst N, Newman TB (2001) Designing clinical research. 2nd edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ho SM, Lee TM (2001) Computer usage and its relationship with adolescent lifestyle in Hong Kong. J Adolesc Health 29:258–266

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Jacobs K, Baker NA (2002) The association between children’s computer use and musculoskeletal discomfort. Work 18:221–226

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jirasatmathakul P, Poovorawam Y (2000) Prevalence of video games among Thai children: impact evaluation. J Med Assoc Thai 83:1509–1513

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Johnsson-Smaragdi U, d’Haenens L, Krotz F (1998) Patterns of old and new media use among young people in Flanders, Germany and Sweden. Eur J Commun 13:479–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Katz JN, Amick BC, Carroll BB, Hollis C, Fossel AH, Coley CM (2000) Prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in college students. Am J Med 109:586–588

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Koh TH (2000) Ulcerative “nintendinitis”: a new kind of repetitive strain injury. MJA 173:671

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kristjánsdóttir G (1996) Prevalence of self-reported back pain in school children: a study of sociodemographic differences. Eur J Pediatr 155:984–986

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kujala UM, Taimela S, Viljanen T (1999) Leisure physical activity and various pain symptoms among adolescents. Br J Sports Med 33:325–328

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Luckstead EF Sr, Satran AL, Patel DR (2002) Sport injury profiles, training and rehabilitation issues in American sports. Pediatr Clin North Am 49:753–767

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. MacGregor DM (2000) Nintendinitis? A case report of repetitive strain injury in a child as a result of playing computers games. Scot Med J 45:150

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Malleson P, Clinch J (2003) Pain syndromes in children. Curr Opin Rheumatol 15:572–580

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. McBeth J, Harkness EF, Hunt IM (2001) Is work-related mechanical injury a risk for the onset of chronic widespread pain? A prospective population based study. Arthritis Rheum 44:S68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Mensel S, Simons DG, Russell IJ (2001) Muscle pain: understanding its nature, diagnosis and treatment. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  28. Mikkelsson M, Salminen JJ, Kautiainen H (1997) Non-specific musculoskeletal pain in preadolescents: prevalence and 1-year persistence. Pain 73:29–35

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Osterman AL, Weinberg P, Miller G (1987) Joystick digit. JAMA 257:782

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Prochaska JJ, Sallis JF, Long B (2001) A physical activity screening measure for use with adolescents in primary care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 155:554–559

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Roberts DF (2000) Media and youth: access, exposure and privatization. J Adolesc Health 27[Suppl]:8–14

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Roberts DF, Foehr UG, Rideout VJ (2003) Kids & media @ the new millennium [Online]. Available at: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/1535-index.cfm

  33. Sherry DD, Malleson PN (2001) Idiopatic musculoskeletal pain syndromes. In: Cassidy JT, Petty RE (eds) Textbook of Pediatric Rheumatology, 4th edn. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 381–394

    Google Scholar 

  34. Simons DG (2001) Dolor y disfunción miofascial: um manual de los puntos gatillo. 2nd edn. Médica Panamericana, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  35. Tazawa Y, Okada K (2001) Physical signs associated with excessive television-game playing and sleep deprivation. Pediatr Int 43:647–650

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Van der Voort T, Beentjes WWJ, Bovill Ml Y (1998) Young people’s ownership and uses of new and old forms of media in Britain and The Netherlands. Eur J Commun 13:457–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, Bennett RM, Bombardier C, Goldenberg DL, Tugwell P, Campbell SM, Abeles M, Clark P (1990) The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia. Report of multicentre criteria committee. Arthritis Rheum 33:160–172

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Wood J (2001) The “how!” sign central palmar blister induced by overplaying on a Nintendo console. Arch Dis Child 84:288

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine of University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil

    Aura Ligia Zapata, Ana Julia Pantoja Moraes & Clovis Artur Almeida Silva

  2. Núcleo de Consultoria e Apoio em Metodologia de Pesquisa e Estatística (NuCAMPE), Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine of University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil

    Claudio Leone & Ulysses Doria-Filho

Authors
  1. Aura Ligia Zapata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ana Julia Pantoja Moraes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Claudio Leone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ulysses Doria-Filho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Clovis Artur Almeida Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Clovis Artur Almeida Silva.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zapata, A.L., Pantoja Moraes, A.J., Leone, C. et al. Pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes related to computer and video game use in adolescents. Eur J Pediatr 165, 408–414 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-005-0018-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-005-0018-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation