Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Sedentary position such as sitting for long times is harmful to the spine and may lead to back disorders, as in computer users, which result from changes in lumbosacral spine, predisposing to changes of back functional stability and mobility. Purpose: to investigate the effect of prolonged sitting posture on Lumbar Lordosis (LL), Sacral Slope (SS), Pelvic Tilting (PT), Pelvic Incidence(PI) and lumbar range of motion (LROM) in computer users. Material and methods: thirty two adult computer users of both genders participated in this study. Their age ranged from 20 to 35 years, with no musculoskeletal disorders or current back pain. Group A: "16" participants using computer from 8 to 10 years, classified into: A1: 8 participants using computer more than 5 hours daily. A2: 8 participants using computer from 2 to 5 hours daily. Group B: "16" participants using computer from 2 to 4 years, classified into: B1: 8 participants using computer more than 5 hours daily. B2: 8 participants using computer from 2 to 5 hours daily. X-ray device was used to obtain lateral lumbosacral radiographs; all radiographic measurements were calculated by using picture archiving and communication systems software. Back range of motion device (BROM II) was used to evaluate LROM. Results: One sample t- test revealed that there were significant changes in spinopelvic angles and LROM compared to normal values, Two way ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect of years and daily hours of computer usage on LL (p = 0.003), SS (p = 0.001), PT (p = 0.03) while, there was no significant interaction effect of years and daily hours of computer usage on PI (p = 0.55) and all lumbar ROM. Conclusion: Sitting for long times adversely affect the spinopelvic angles (LL, SS, PT and PI) and LROM in computer users. These changes occur in harmony between spine and pelvis

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