Prevalence and impact of scapular muscle pain among video gamers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad: A cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v9i4.232Keywords:
Scapular muscle pain, Video gamers, Posture, Musculoskeletal disorders, Esports, Rawalpindi, IslamabadAbstract
Scapular muscle pain is common among individuals who engage in prolonged video gaming sessions. Poor posture, repetitive movements, and extended screen time contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort, particularly in the muscles surrounding the scapula. With the rise in Esports and video gaming as a primary source of entertainment, there is a growing need to understand the prevalence and impact of scapular muscle pain among gamers. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of scapular muscle pain among video gamers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and to investigate the impact of this pain on gaming performance and quality of life. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted over six months in various gaming centers, communities, and universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. 100 male video gamers aged 15 to 40 were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Pain and functional limitations were measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and Scapular Assistance Test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Most participants (86%) were aged 15-25 years, with gaming hours ranging from 3-7 hours per day. Pain intensity assessment revealed that 59% of participants experienced moderate pain, while 8% reported severe pain. SPADI results indicated that 56% of gamers had very severe pain and disability. The Scapular Assistance Test showed that 68% of participants tested positive, indicating the presence of scapular muscle pain. Scapular muscle pain is prevalent among video gamers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, particularly younger gamers who engage in prolonged gaming sessions. The study highlights the need for interventions to address poor posture and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues in this population.
References
Franks RR, King D, Bodine W, Chisari E, Heller A, Jamal IV F, et al. AOASM position statement on esports, active video gaming, and the role of the sports medicine physician. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022;32(3):221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000001034
Worsley PR, Rebolledo D, Webb S, Caggiari S, Bader DL. Monitoring the biomechanical and physiological effects of postural changes during leisure chair sitting. Journal of tissue viability. 2018;27(1):16-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtv.2017.10.001
Donati MA, Guido CA, De Meo G, Spalice A, Sanson F, Beccari C, et al. Gaming among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown: The role of parents in time spent on video games and gaming disorder symptoms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(12):6642. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126642
Pallavicini F, Pepe A, Mantovani F. The effects of playing video games on stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and gaming disorder during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: PRISMA systematic review. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2022;25(6):334-354. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.0252
Wani C, Vijayakumar M, Palekar TJ, Budhwani N, Patel C. Prevalence of Pain In Scapular Muscles In Video Gamers. Prevalence. 2021;10(1).
Raichlen DA, Pontzer H, Zderic TW, Harris JA, Mabulla AZ, Hamilton MT, et al. Sitting, squatting, and the evolutionary biology of human inactivity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2020;117(13): 7115-7121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1911868117
Sağlam G, Telli H. The prevalence of scapular dyskinesia in patients with back, neck, and shoulder pain and the effect of this combination on pain and muscle shortness. Agri/Journal of the Turkish Society of Algology. 2022;34(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.14744/agri.2022.87059
Baxi G, Jain A, Palekar T, Gohil D, Saini S, Basu S. Comparison of Immediate and Carry Over Effects of Kinesiotaping and Rigid Taping on Pain due to Latent Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius in Individuals with Forward Shoulder Posture: A Randomized Control Trial. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy. 2019;13(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/0973-5674.2019.00082.0
Ashok K, Purushothaman VK, Muniandy Y. Prevalence of forward head posture in electronic gamers and associated factors. International Journal of Aging Health and Movement. 2020;2(2):19-27.
Worlikar AN, Shah MR. Incidence of forward head posture and associated problems in desktop users. Int J Health Sci Res. 2019;9(2):96-100.
DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Balentine J, Schmidt G, Zwibel H. Managing the health of the sport athlete: an integrated health management model. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine. 2019; 5(1):000467. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000467
Luján CEM, Esteban C. Ergonomics and Videogames: Habits, Diseases and Health Perception of Gamers. eSports Yearbook 2015/2016: Books on Demand Germany; 2017. 95-105.
Panagiotopoulos AC, Crowther IM. Scapular dyskinesia, the forgotten culprit of shoulder pain and how to rehabilitate. SICOT-J. 2019;5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/sicotj/2019029
Lange T, Struyf F, Schmitt J, Lützner J, Kopkow C. The reliability of physical examination tests for the clinical assessment of scapular dyskinesis in subjects with shoulder complaints: A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2017; 26:64-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.10.006
Gieg SD, Schaefer C, Smith MJ, Ma R, Heil SD, Kim HM. Utility of lateral scapular radiographs in initial evaluation of nontraumatic shoulder conditions. JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques. 2022;2(2):149-154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xrrt.2022.01.001
Telli H, Sağlam G. Scapular dyskinesis and loss of cervical lordosis in myofascial pain syndrome and its effects on pain and posture disorders. Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2023;69 (2): 2587-1250. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5606/tftrd.2023.10652
Chumari Mnl, Hasan Mrm, Adnan A, Umar Rzr, Samuel S, Sidek Aa, et al. Effect of prolonged sitting duration on the risk for musculoskeletal disorders among PC Gamers. Human Factors and Ergonomics Journal. 2019;4(1):66-74.
Kamal K, Dahiya N, Singh R, Saini S, Taxak S, Kapoor S. Comparative study of anatomical landmark-guided versus ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block in chronic shoulder pain. Saudi journal of anesthesia. 2018;12(1):22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.SJA_123_17
Emara AK, Ng MK, Cruickshank JA, Kampert MW, Piuzzi NS, Schaffer JL, et al. Gamer's health guide: optimizing performance, recognizing hazards, and promoting wellness in esports. Current sports medicine reports. 2020;19(12): 537-545. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000787
Kim YH, Nauright J, Suveatwatanakul C. The rise of E-Sports and potential for Post-COVID continued growth. Sport in Society. 2020;23(11):1861-1871. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2020.1819695
Lam W-K, Liu R-T, Chen B, Huang X-Z, Yi J, Wong DW-C. Health Risks and Musculoskeletal Problems of Elite Mobile Esports Players: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. Sports Medicine-Open. 2022;8(1):65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00458-3
Mirza Z, Yousaf A, Siddiqui Z, et al. Incidental Diagnosis of Left Atrial Myxoma in a Patient Presenting with Right Shoulder and Inter-Scapular Back Pain: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023;
(2):e34740.
Tholl C, Bickmann P, Wechsler K, Froböse I, Grieben C. Musculoskeletal
disorders in video gamers–a systematic review. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 2022;23(1):1-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05614-0
