Back and neck problems as well as disadvantageous ergonomic behavior patterns in university students: Concomitants of the pandemic?

BACKGROUND: As a part of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown measures, universities converted courses to digital formats, leading to remote studying. It is unclear how these measures affect university students in terms of musculoskeletal problems (i.e., neck and back pain), e.g., by non-ergonomically equipped home offices or reduced physical activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Students from Osnabrück University weresurveyed via fully standardized online questionnaires from early March to mid-April 2022 (6 weeks) about neck and back problems, movement behavior in home offices, and personal information. RESULTS: Of 447 students who clicked on the link, 378 students (80.4% female, mean age: 24.1 ± 4.2 years) answered the questionnaire (response rate: 84.6%). 299 (79.1%) students suffered from neck pain and 294 (77.8%) from back pain during the pandemic. 206 (54.4%) students generally used ergonomic furniture, 83 (22.0%) used ergonomic sitting furniture, 57 (15.1%) used a standing desk, and 212 (56.1%) used aids for a more comfortable use of laptops in home office. 203 (53.7%) students took movement breaks in home office, 207 (54.8%) worked out regularly, and 65 (17.2%) moved regularly in the fresh air. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found a high rate of neck and back pain amongst university students. Measures are needed to prevent neck and back pain in this group, considering that increased physical activity and enhanced home office equipment might be beneficial.