The Effect of Adjusting Screen Height and Keyboard Placement on Neck and Back Discomfort, Posture, and Muscle Activities during Laptop Work

Laptop work may increase risks of neck and back injuries in the long term due to awkward postures and increased mechanical loads on cervical and lumbar spine. This study was intended to compare the muscle activities and postural changes as well as discomfort of the neck and back resulted from the laptop work in a conventional and adjusted setup. 20 young healthy males performed two 8-min sessions of computer-mouse work and typing in a conventional setup and in an ergonomically adjusted setup during laptop work. In the adjusted setup, the screen height was individually adjusted by a riser and the keyboard was externally connected. The posture of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spines, and shoulder, as well as electromyographic activity of cervical and lumbar erector spinae, multifidus, upper trapezius and anterior deltoid muscles, were recorded during the first and last 2 min of each computer work session. Having completed the computer work session, furthermore, the participants scored their neck, back, and general discomfort. The very research findings implied that adjusting the screen height and keyboard placement was effective during laptop work in reducing the cervical (-4.53 deg) and thoracic flexion angles (-3.14 deg) as well as the cervical erector spinae (-10.31%) and multifidus (-15.57%) muscle activities, and resulted in lower discomfort. The typing task was associated with higher muscle activity and awkward posture compared with the mouse work. As for workstation setup, simple modifications may reduce risk factors of musculoskeletal complaints.

Automated summary

This study compared muscle activities and discomfort of the neck and back during laptop work in conventional and adjusted setups, finding that adjusting screen height and keyboard placement can reduce muscle activity and discomfort, and prevent neck and back injuries.