Harvard study warns of tablet position pain
VICKI WATERHOUSE
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Digital living
The users of iPads and other tablet devices are at risk of neck injuries, according to a new study.
Despite being hailed for their ease of use and portability, use of the touch-screen devices could result in aches and pains, Harvard University School of Public Health researchers have found.
Desktop computer users had long suffered from head, neck and wrist pain and the research was carried out to determine how injury would change with the technology.
The research suggested people were particularly at risk when the tablet was placed on the lap.
Holding the tablet low or flat meant the user had to look down at a severe angle, which could cause more pressure on the joints.
The research studied a group of 15 experienced tablet users asked to complete tasks on an Apple iPad2 and Motorolla Xoom in different positions, with and without a special case to angle it on.
The position most likely to cause injury was on the lap without the case, and the least aggravating position was on a table with the case propping up the tablet at a high angle, which simulated a regular desktop computer.
The other positions were putting the tablet on the lap or table, both times with the case propping it up at a low angle.
Researchers measured the participants' head and neck posture and gaze angle.
The study was published in the journal Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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They're doing re-runs of Days of our Lives? What channel?
Yes, Stuff NZ... Harvard is a great Uni. But... You don't need to tell us everything they find out there, this was probably some students studying posture or something I have no idea about. Possibly studying chiropractor-ness if that's a word hahaha. Seriously not that many own I pads.
Oh noodle #5 done that! Very painful.There will be a medical term for that soon. iHurt, tablet abuse or something similar.
Bay #4 "what a load of rubbish. Next thing they'll be saying iphones and ipods are bad for you, as you have to bend down to use them."
They already have said that iPods are bad. But for the ears. There was a big stink kicked up about the volume & how it's going to make kids deaf. (Although, why they waited until iPods were created, rather than the old original walkmans is beyond me...)
Yet another reason why tablets are a flawed invention. If you have to prop it up and buy a keyboard to get any real use out of it, why not just buy a Netbook, Laptop, or use a PC.
Work gave me a tablet to play around with and after 2 weeks of fun, it was placed in the drawer of my desk and just about never used again. If you have a PC, Laptop, Netbook, etc you soon realise that keyboard and mouse and upright screen really are so much easier.
I reckon if they put a GPS, gyroscope, and perhaps touch screen in to a Netbook or Laptop then that would be awesome because would give the best of both worlds. Problems solved :)
Everyone who has posted a comment has good points. If this is what they study in Harvard, then I could have a few ideas to waste their time on.
As Phoebe from friends would say; "This is brand new information!".
But seriously, some hilarious comments on here haha.
@ noodle #5, you could always pay more attention to your other half and not use the device at that time. Unless of course, you are googling alternatives. ;-)
So because it is a 'university study' and 'Harvard Researchers' did it its news-worthy? Shocking! OMG! Waste of effort this article.
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Not quite sure on why all the negative comments.
I have just got an iPad and to be honest hadn't thought much about posture etc while using it. Now I will - so for me the article and research has been very helpful - thanks Stuff.