The Effects of Computer Game Exposure on Musculoskeletal Pathological Symptoms in Adolescents

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effects of computer game exposure on pathological musculoskeletal symptoms in adolescents. Method: This study included 10 male junior high school students who used computers less than 3 times a week for 1 hr per day. The subjects were asked to play computer games for 4 hr. Magnetic resonance imaging of the hand and wrist, from the distal radius and ulnar head to the distal phalanges, and radiography of the cervical vertebrae were performed before and after playing computer games. For each dependent variable, a paired t-test was performed to identify significant changes before and after a 4-hr active computer game (p<.05). Results: The horizontal diameters of the flexor tendons in the index and middle fingers were significantly reduced after playing computer games. The horizontal diameters of the flexor tendons of other fingers did not show any significant differences, but there was a tendency toward a decrease after playing computer games. There was no significant change in the cervical lordosis angle before and after playing computer games. However, the cervical lordosis angle was relatively decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that computer game exposure had direct and indirect effects on morphological changes of flexor tendons. In addition, playing computer games for long periods of time can have a negative effect on normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system, with the possible development of abnormalities. However, computer game exposure in adolescents cannot be decisively identified as a factor causing pathological symptoms, based on the results of this study alone. Thus, longterm longitudinal studies on the overall musculoskeletal system are necessary.