Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Musculoskeletal Pain in Internet-Addicted College Students

Abstract

Background: The pervasive use of the internet among college students has raised concerns about internet addiction and its associated health implications. This addiction is characterized by excessive and obsessive internet usage that often leads to detrimental effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being. Among these effects, musculoskeletal discomfort and poor sleep quality are prevalent symptoms reported by this demographic. Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain in internet-addicted college students to identify potential interventions that can mitigate these adverse effects. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 171 students aged 16-20 years, who reported using screens for more than three hours daily and experienced idiopathic musculoskeletal pain. The study employed the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) for data collection. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were performed using SPSS Version 25 to explore associations between internet usage hours, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal pain. Results: The participants had a mean age of 17.99±1.37 years, with a balanced gender distribution (50.3% male, 49.7% female). Musculoskeletal pain was most frequently reported in the neck and shoulder regions (29.8% each), followed by the lower back (26.9%). Regarding sleep quality, 44.5% of students suffered from severe sleep disorders. Significant associations were found between the number of hours of internet usage and both the presence of musculoskeletal pain (p<0.001) and poor sleep quality (p=0.049). Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant correlation between excessive internet use and both increased musculoskeletal pain and deteriorated sleep quality among college students. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote healthier internet use habits and improve the ergonomic and sleep hygiene practices among this population. Keywords: Internet addiction, musculoskeletal pain, sleep quality, college students, ergonomic health, cross-sectional study, SPSS analysis.