Effect of tablet tilt position on students’ muscle and breathing function

ISRCTN ISRCTN16053224
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16053224
Submission date
24/06/2021
Registration date
28/06/2021
Last edited
20/07/2023
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Prolonged use of tablets causes a reduction in movement which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different tablet tilt positions on muscle and breathing function.

Who can participate?
Undergraduate student aged 18 - 25 years who use a tablet for more than 2 hours per day for the past 6 months.

What does the study involve?
Participants perform a writing task for 2 hours. Group 1 position their tablets at a tilt of 0 degrees, and group 2 use a tablet tilt position of 40 to 55 degrees.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
None

Where is the study run from?
Burapha University (Thailand)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2021 to June 2021

Who is funding the study?
Burapha University (Thailand)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Kunavut Vannajak
kunavut@go.buu.ac.th

Contact information

Dr Kunavut Vannajak
Scientific

Burapha University
169 Lonhard bang sean road
Chonburi
20131
Thailand

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-6036-0874
Phone +66 (0)839292611
Email kunavut@go.buu.ac.th

Study information

Study designInterventional randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)School
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet ISRCTN16053224_PIS.pdf
Scientific titleEffect of tablet tilt positioning on ergonomic risks and respiratory function
Study objectives0-degree tablet placement on a flat surface of a student chair affects ergonomic risks and respiratory function when compared with 40- to 55-degree tablet placement.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 04/04/2021, Research and Innovation Administration Division, Burapha University (Chonburi, Thailand; +66 (0)38-102561-62; research@buu.ac.th), ref: HS004/2564
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrevention of poor posture in students
InterventionA total of 18 undergraduate student participants are divided into two groups of 9 persons per group using the sealed envelope method.

Group 1 position their tablets at a tilt of 0 degrees, and group 2 use a tablet tilt position of 40 to 55 degrees.

Participants perform the same writing task for 2 hours in the same environment with identical temperature, light, and chair.

The researchers collected data on the rapid upper-limb assessment (RULA), respiratory function, and costovertebral (CV) angle before and after the study. They used a standard student chair, a tablet with a tilting tool, a spirometer (CareFusion MicroLab), and a CV angle assessment tool for the evaluation.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureUpper limb function measured using rapid upper-limb assessment (RULA) at baseline and 2 hours after tablet use
Secondary outcome measuresRespiratory function measured using spirometer at baseline and 2 hours after tablet use:
1.1. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
1.2. Forced vital capacity (FVC)
Overall study start date01/01/2021
Completion date10/06/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants18
Total final enrolment18
Key inclusion criteria1. Undergraduate student aged 18 - 25 years
2. Used a tablet for more than 2 hours per day for the past 6 months
Key exclusion criteria1. History of neck or upper-extremity surgery in the past year
2. Disorder or malalignment of the cervical spine or upper extremity
3. Neck and upper-extremity pain, as measured by a visual analog scale score of greater than 3/10
4. Chronic musculoskeletal disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia
5. Nervous or musculoskeletal system disorder affecting sensory input
6. Visual problem that could not be fixed by glasses
7. Dizziness that resulted in poor balance
8. Sedative drug uptake or alcohol drinking in the previous 48 hours
Date of first enrolment05/04/2021
Date of final enrolment31/05/2021

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Thailand

Study participating centre

Burapha University
169 Lonhard bang sean road
Saen suk subdistrict
Muang district
Chonburi
20131
Thailand

Sponsor information

Burapha University
University/education

The Exercise and Nutrition Innovation and Sciences Research Unit
Chonburi
20131
Thailand

Phone +66 (0)3810 2222
Email pr@buu.ac.th
Website https://www.buu.ac.th/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01ff74m36

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Burapha University
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
BUU
Location
Thailand

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/12/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high impact peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet 08/07/2021 No Yes
Results article 24/04/2023 20/07/2023 Yes No

Additional files

ISRCTN16053224_PIS.pdf
Uploaded 08/07/2021

Editorial Notes

20/07/2023: Publication reference added.
08/07/2021: The participant information sheet has been uploaded.
28/06/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by the Research and Innovation Administration Division, Burapha University.