Tablet posture matters: exploring tablet use, pain, and related factors in university students

Abstract

Objectives: Tablets are commonly used in higher education, with increasing reports of neck pain linked to their use. However, limited research has specifically explored the tablet usage behaviors. This study aims to examine tablet posture, duration usage, and tilt angle, and their association with neck pain among college students.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among college students using tablets for at least one year without neurological neck pain assessed demographics, tablet angles (0°–60°), postures, and neck pain using expert-validated questionnaires. Logistic regression and Spearman’s correlation analyzed factors associated with neck pain, with VAS scores and significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Of the 328 questionnaires from 17 universities, 91% were completed. Participants predominatly were female (72%) with age was 21 (20, 22) years old and BMI of 21.38 (19.10, 24.97) kg/m². Eighty-five percent, tablet use exceeding five hours daily. Tilt angles were 0° (20%), 10° (38%), and 20° (24%), with postures including leaning forward (36%) and legs crossed (26%). Moderate to severe neck pain (VAS≥3) was associated with posture (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07–1.44, p < 0.05) and female (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.24–3.97, p < 0.05). Straight back and leaning forward postures showed negative associations with pain. No significant correlation was found between tilt angle and neck pain level (p = 0.30).

Conclusion: Posture and gender may contribute to neck pain in tablet-using students due to musculoskeletal activation and structural differences, highlighting the need for ergonomic education and preventive strategies to reduce risk.