Musculoskeletal Discomforts Among Engineering Students: Associations with Laptop Use, Posture, and Task Type

Authors

  • Qawsar Ali Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
  • Kon Kon Das Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Arkansas, AR, USA.
  • Mohammad Iqbal Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63512/sustjst.2024.2006

Keywords:

Student , Laptop, Musculoskeletal Pain, Postures

Abstract

Students in university, especially those studying engineering, need to use laptops. But using a laptop for a long time and having poor posture can make musculoskeletal pain worse. Very few studies have examined the relationship between usage duration, task type, and posture with discomfort among undergraduates in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study surveyed 238 engineering students in their second to fourth years, gathering data on daily and total laptop usage, prevalent tasks, postures, and self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort. Spearman's rank correlation analyzed substantial correlations between usage characteristics and pain in various anatomical regions. The findings indicate that discomfort in the neck and lower back was the most common. Longer daily use and longer programming tasks were strongly linked to more pain in the neck, shoulders, wrists, and lower back. Back-supported sitting posture while operating a laptop on a table was associated with reduced pain in the upper-middle back, neck, and lower back. Working posture and task-specific demands appear to influence musculoskeletal discomfort more strongly than laptop use alone. These findings point to the importance of targeted ergonomic education and posture-focused interventions for students.

Author Biographies

Kon Kon Das, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Arkansas, AR, USA.

Kon Kon Das is currently a Master’s Student of Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Arkansas, AR, USA. She has completed her graduation from the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet-3114.

Mohammad Iqbal, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal is currently serving as a Professor at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh under the Department of Industrial and Production. He is the founder lecturer of Department of Industrial and Production, SUST. He served as the Head of the dept. for 13 years. Dr. Iqbal was the Dean of School of Applied Science and Technology for two years. Professor Iqbal was a visiting research scholar at the Merry O’ Connor Process Safety Research Center, College station, Texas A & M University, Texas, USA. Professor Iqbal is a member of U.S exchange alumni. He was the Head of Petroleum and Mineral Engineering Department, SUST for one year. Dr. Iqbal is actively involved in research and teaching of Mechanical, Industrial, Production Engineering and environment related topics. Dr. Iqbal has been awarded for the best research paper presentation in several international conferences. He has 34 years of industrial, research and teaching experiences. He was a member, Peer Review Committee on Engineering & Applied Science, Ministry of Science, Information and Communication, Republic of Bangladesh Government for the financial year June 2006-July 2007. His affiliations as a researcher has contributed more than 35 publications in peer-reviewed national and international journals. He has more than 90 national and international publications in conference proceedings. He is one of the advisors to the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Dr. Iqbal served as the member of SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh (October, 2011- February, 2020). Dr. Iqbal served as the Chair, IEOM Society, Bangladesh Chapter in 2018- 2020. Dr. Iqbal was the Conference Chair of IEOM Society of Bangladesh in the year 2019. Dr. Iqbal was the honorary secretary of IEB (Institution of Engineers Bangladesh) Sylhet Centre, Sylhet, Bangladesh (April, 2018- September, 2020. Dr. Iqbal was the Co-chair, of IEOM Society, Bangladesh(2020-2021). Dr. Iqbal is a Lifetime Member, IEOM Society and Life member, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), Bangladesh. Dr. Iqbal is a member of ASHRAE, Bangladesh Chapter, Bangladesh since 2022 . He received award as a Distinguished Professor and Leadership in Recognition and Appreciation of Outstanding Teaching and Research in Ergonomics and Serving in the Academic Leadership and Professional Leadership Positions at IEOM Bangladesh Chapter, December 27, 2022.

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Published

2026-05-16

How to Cite

Ali, Q., Kon Kon Das, & Mohammad Iqbal. (2026). Musculoskeletal Discomforts Among Engineering Students: Associations with Laptop Use, Posture, and Task Type. SUST Journal of Science and Technology (SUST JST), 34(2). https://doi.org/10.63512/sustjst.2024.2006

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 SUST Journal of Science and Technology (SUST JST)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.