# Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms from online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study finds that online learning during the pandemic is linked to high rates of neck and back pain in students.

## Contribution

A meta-analysis quantifying musculoskeletal symptom prevalence in online learners during the pandemic.

## Key findings

- Neck pain prevalence was 51% (95% CI: 36–66%) among online students.
- Lower back pain prevalence was 51% (95% CI: 42–59%).
- Shoulder pain prevalence was 36% (95% CI: 26–47%).

## Abstract

The objective of this research was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in online students.

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.

Sixteen studies were included and used for the meta-analysis. 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%).

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.