Ergonomics researchers are taking a look at college students to evaluate what texting could mean for their health. Most adults between the ages of 18-21 prefer texting on their phone to e-mail or phone calls. Judith Gold, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work, thinks that they may be jeopardizing their health.
At the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, she presented her preliminary findings showing that college students who texted more had more pain in their neck and shoulders than did those who texted less. This is quite a new area of research, since texting is a new phenomenon. However, she says that, "Given the similarities in body position, findings from research on overuse injuries from computers could be applicable here.”
Office workers who experience on-the-job injuries often show carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tendonitis. These are issues that emergency room physicians like Josyann Abisaab will then see, or that a family physician will need to examine.
