Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part E (2022)

Background and Objective: Upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders and disabilities are more common in subjects who extensively using hand held devices (laptops, cell phones, digital gaming) after world digitization in daily life of people. These disorders and disabilities occurs due to trauma, overuse or repetitive injuries in abnormal posture or ergonomics and it affects biomechanics of the upper extremity. Therefore the present study aims to determine the upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders and disability in the individuals who extensively using hand held devices as assess by DASH questionnaire (disability of arm shoulder and hand).

Materials and Methods: A Cross sectional survey design was done and 250 subjects mean age group of 25-45 years were included in the study those used hand held devices more than 7 hours. The questionnaire (DASH) disability of arm shoulder and hand was taken and data was analyzed by Chi-square (x2) test, Paired and Unpaired t test.

Results: Descriptive statistical analysis-frequency and percentage of responses has been carried out in the present study to analyze the questionnaire. 250 subjects were completed the questionnaire. It was found out that upper extremities musculoskeletal disorder (UEDs) affected with mean of 49.30 ±6.05 of DASH score, who use hand held devices (HHD) more than 7 hours.

Conclusion: The study concluded that those subjects used extensively hand held devices more than 7 hours moderately affected with upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders.