Background: Using a laptop for work is gaining rapid popularity, but there is little evidence of how it influences musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder area.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of upper body MSDs and functional characteristics of the neck between office workers using a laptop or desktop computer.
Methods: A total of 110 office workers with a mean age of 41±10 years participated. 45 office workers (73% female) used a laptop and 65 office workers (86% female) used desktop computers. The prevalence of MSDs was recorded using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Active range of motion (AROM), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) force, joint position error (JPE), and pain-pressure threshold (PPT) of the neck and shoulder area were measured.
Results: Laptop users experienced significantly more MSDs in the right shoulder area on the day of participation (p < 0.001, OR = 4.47), during the previous 7 days (p < 0.01, OR = 3.74), and at 6 months (p < 0.01, OR = 3.57). Laptop users also experienced significantly more MSDs in the left shoulder during the previous 7 days (p < 0.05, OR = 2.44). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder area between the groups.
Conclusion: Using the laptop computer for office work may pose a higher risk of developing MSDs in the right shoulder area, but might not have long-term effects on the functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder area.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain; muscle strength; nociception; proprioception; range of motion.