Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Purpose The objective of this research was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in online students. Materials and methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching the PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, CINAHL plus with...

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Main Authors: Wutthichai Jariya, Orawan Keeratisiroj, Tanawat Gotum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2025-04-01
Series:F1000Research
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Online Access:https://f1000research.com/articles/13-790/v2
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author Wutthichai Jariya
Orawan Keeratisiroj
Tanawat Gotum
author_facet Wutthichai Jariya
Orawan Keeratisiroj
Tanawat Gotum
author_sort Wutthichai Jariya
collection DOAJ
description Purpose The objective of this research was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in online students. Materials and methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching the PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, CINAHL plus with full text, and Wiley InterScience databases. A total of 3,749 studies were identified between January 2020 and December 2023. The Joanna Briggs Tool for studies reporting prevalence was used to assess the quality of studies. Jamovi 2.4 was used in the meta-analysis. Results Sixteen studies were included and used for the meta-analysis. The average age of participants was 22 years, with an age range of 17–45 years. There were 6 studies of high quality, 9 studies of medium quality and 1 study of low quality. The areas with the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain were the neck (51%, 95% CI = 36–66%), lower back (51%, 95% CI = 42–59%) and shoulder (36%, 95% CI = 26–47%). Conclusions The shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a potential factor influencing musculoskeletal pain in students. Educational institutions should study the duration of online learning that begins to impact student injury outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-2a6fb646b31041a388eed17bc206e9102025-08-20T02:56:03ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022025-04-011310.12688/f1000research.152382.2180429Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Wutthichai Jariya0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7198-6095Orawan Keeratisiroj1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6289-6795Tanawat Gotum2Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Tha Pho, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandFaculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Tha Pho, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandFaculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Tha Pho, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandPurpose The objective of this research was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in online students. Materials and methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching the PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, CINAHL plus with full text, and Wiley InterScience databases. A total of 3,749 studies were identified between January 2020 and December 2023. The Joanna Briggs Tool for studies reporting prevalence was used to assess the quality of studies. Jamovi 2.4 was used in the meta-analysis. Results Sixteen studies were included and used for the meta-analysis. The average age of participants was 22 years, with an age range of 17–45 years. There were 6 studies of high quality, 9 studies of medium quality and 1 study of low quality. The areas with the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain were the neck (51%, 95% CI = 36–66%), lower back (51%, 95% CI = 42–59%) and shoulder (36%, 95% CI = 26–47%). Conclusions The shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a potential factor influencing musculoskeletal pain in students. Educational institutions should study the duration of online learning that begins to impact student injury outcomes.https://f1000research.com/articles/13-790/v2COVID-19 Meta-analysis Musculoskeletal pain Online learning Student Systematic revieweng
spellingShingle Wutthichai Jariya
Orawan Keeratisiroj
Tanawat Gotum
Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
F1000Research
COVID-19
Meta-analysis
Musculoskeletal pain
Online learning
Student
Systematic review
eng
title Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_full Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_fullStr Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_short Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_sort prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the covid 19 epidemic a systematic review and meta analysis version 2 peer review 2 approved
topic COVID-19
Meta-analysis
Musculoskeletal pain
Online learning
Student
Systematic review
eng
url https://f1000research.com/articles/13-790/v2
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AT orawankeeratisiroj prevalenceofmusculoskeletalsymptomsfromonlinelearningduringthecovid19epidemicasystematicreviewandmetaanalysisversion2peerreview2approved
AT tanawatgotum prevalenceofmusculoskeletalsymptomsfromonlinelearningduringthecovid19epidemicasystematicreviewandmetaanalysisversion2peerreview2approved