Relationship between Information and Communication Device Usage and Development of Hand Disorders

Abstract

This study examined the association between hand disorders and time spent using information and communication devices. The participants in this study, conducted between January 2017 and 2020, were 150 healthy university students. They were tested for carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Average daily device usage time was found to be 5.76 ± 3.00 (1.9-16.2) h. Smartphones were used the most, followed by personal computers and gaming consoles. However, usage time did not vary significantly by device type. Intensive users were significantly more likely to have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis ( P < .001), while non-intensive users were significantly less likely to have hand disorders ( P < .001) and less likely to have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. These results can form the basis of guidelines for the prevention of information and communication device overuse.