Will Use of Tablet Devices Cause Head and Neck Pain?

How are your students using tablet devices such as iPads and the Motorola Xoom in the classroom? Do they have them flat on their desks, in their laps, or propped up at an angle on their laps or desks? Answers could mean a difference in whether students develop head or neck pain. Harvard researchers found that “participants heads and necks were in more flexed positions while using the tablets than those typical of desktop or notebook computer users.” It is known that those who have poor posture when sitting with the neck and head slumped forward, especially for long periods of time, may find themselves with head and neck pain. According to the researchers, the best way to use a tablet computer is to put it on a desk or table and use the tablet’s case to prop it up at the highest angle (73 degrees for the iPad, for example). In addition to placement of the tablet, researchers recommended that “users vary their postures every 15 minutes.” The group plans future studies involving wrist position when using touchscreens.