E-device

[Mertie Oldow]

Atotal of 51 participants took part in the study. Participants in the study read five scientific articles in the MRI scanner. The articles covered STEM topics including math, GPS, Mars, electric circuits and the environment.

The researchers found, across all texts, a negative correlation between the self-reported frequency of electronic device usage and activity in brain regions referred to as left insula and the inferior frontal gyrus, or IFG. These brain areas are among the most important parts of the brain for information processing, such as paying attention and understanding language, according to Li.

According to the researchers, future research may focus on the effect that e-device use has on certain age groups. Middle school educators, in particular, may be interested in the ramifications of e-devices on learning.

Li worked with Chun-Ting Hsu, former postdoctoral research fellow, now at Kyoto University; Roy Clariana, professor of education; and Benjamin Schloss, graduate student in psychology, all of Penn State.

IDiscipline of Physiotherapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

IIDiscipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

IIIDiscipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

The experience of being in lockdown, isolated, and socially distant, even from family and friends, has become the 'new normal' during the COVID-19 pandemic. People across the world are increasingly using electronic devices (e-devices) to connect socially, for education, and for work. Anecdotally, voices have emerged that predict that COVID-19 will revolutionise how we interact beyond the pandemic, enabling people to connect over large geographical areas. However, the increased use of e-devices may have far-reaching consequences on body systems, including the musculoskeletal and visual systems. These complications are often overlooked due to the focus on the medical management of COVID-19. Attention should be paid to these complications as they have the potential to become a serious public health issue.

Musculoskeletal impairments such as back, neck, shoulder and wrist pain are associated with sustained postures during e-device use. This association has been highlighted in children, young adults and higher education students, and has the potential to become more severe as people age.1-5 Varied postures, specifically increased head and neck flexion6, as well as the incorrect placement of the e-device on surfaces, are of concern. The size and weight of e-devices can further cause fatigue, and negatively affect the biomechanics of users.7 Furthermore, e-device use is associated with other negative behaviours, such as reduced time exercising and playing. Overuse of e-devices in children has been shown to be associated with obesity8, impaired physical and cognitive development, as well as sleep problems9. These challenges have the potential to add a significant burden to already over-stretched primary health-care systems.10

Additionally, users' environments also influence musculoskeletal impairments. Many people in low- and middle-income countries live in resource-scarce home environments. They lack a suitable ergonomic set-up for the correct use of e-devices, or information on managing screen time and exercise. These users are also more likely to use a smartphone for online engagement, as opposed to a laptop, and may sit on low beds, floors or outside the home to access data coverage for online platforms. In addition, the restrictions on daily free movement are likely to result in people living more sedentary lifestyles, which can, in turn, increase the prevalence of other health challenges such as diabetes and obesity, and impair child brain development.

Prolonged screen time further leads to associated eye health concerns for people of all ages. Even before COVID-19, the rising prevalence of myopia, or short-sightedness, was acknowledged as a global public health problem, predicted to affect five billion people by 2050.11 Central to this increasing incidence are environmental factors such as increased time indoors, increased educational demands, and increased use of e-devices. Lockdown measures, precipitating a move towards working remotely or learning online, have forced people to spend significant time indoors and in front of e-devices. This prolonged use of e-devices, particularly at close working distances, results in a condition known as digital eye syndrome (DES).12,13 DES produces clinical symptoms such as headaches, caused by stress on the accommodative and binocular vision systems, as well as reduced blink rate and poor blink quality.12-14 This is compounded by the blue light emission from light-emitting diode (LED) devices. Blue light also affects sleep latency and duration by reducing melatonin production, which disrupts circadian rhythms.12 The impact of excessive e-device use may, therefore, extend beyond DES and musculoskeletal problems, to increasingly disrupted sleep patterns, which are associated with emotional distress and cognitive deficits.12-14

Usage of e-devices is likely to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. This, in turn, increases the likelihood that associated visual, musculoskeletal and developmental impairments will become more prevalent and severe, thus adding a significant burden to already over-stretched primary health-care systems. We, therefore, need to develop strategies to provide better information on how to adopt preventative measures that address both eye health and the musculoskeletal impairments associated with the increased use of e-devices. These strategies should include innovative ways to use e-devices and programmes that educate communities on appropriate measures to counteract the adverse effects of screen time. Public health initiatives should involve collaboration with various sectors, including community partners, to establish and integrate contextually tailored health awareness programmes into countries across the globe. An immediate public health response for health-care advocates, employees and other COVID-19 response structures should include advice on contemporary e-device use and ensure this critical information is integrated into the package for essential protective principles used to combat the spread of the COVID-19 infection.

1.Gustafsson E, Thomee S, Grimby-Ekman A, Hagberg M. Texting on mobile phones and musculoskeletal disorders in young adults: A five-year cohort study. Appl Ergon. 2017;58:208-214. [ Links ]2.Straker L, Harris C, Joosten J, Howie EK. Mobile technology dominates school children's IT use in an advantaged school community and is associated with musculoskeletal and visual symptoms. Ergonomics. 2018;61(5):658-669. [ Links ]3.Jun D, Zoe M, Johnston V, O'Leary S. Physical risk factors for developing non-specific neck pain in office workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017;90(5):373-410. -017-1205-3 [ Links ]4.Woo EHC, White P, Lai CWK. Musculoskeletal impact of the use of various types of electronic devices on university students in Hong Kong: An evaluation by means of self-reported questionnaire. Man Ther. 2016;26:47-53. [ Links ]5.Arshad MA, Shamsudin MZ, Jamalil M, Mustafa A. Laptop use and upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders among higher learning students. 2020;01(1):1-4. [ Links ]

The device has a hidden needle and non-slip hand grip to assist patients with dexterity issues. The large start/pause button and injection speed choice give patients control over their injections. The information screen allows patients to access step-by-step instructions, confirms injection completion and provides injection date notifications.7 Studies have demonstrated that patients find the e-device easy to use and are satisfied with their self-injection experience.8

The ava Connect e-device also logs injection dates, allowing it to record objectively patient adherence, which can be shared with clinicians. Skin sensors automatically stop an injection if skin contact is lost and the needle is retracted within the device. After re-positioning, the injection can continue, preventing medication waste and helping to ensure the patient receives the full dose. Safety features ensure that the medication cartridge is automatically checked for drug identity, expiry status, and use status before an injection is given.7

CimplyMe, the companion mobile application for ava Connect, enables a treatment experience for patients that takes a holistic approach to chronic disease management. By using CimplyMe with ava Connect, patients will be able to access their injection data, disease management and treatment information, and track and monitor their disease symptoms, as well as receive injection reminders. The ava Connect device can be paired with CimplyMe via a smartphone Bluetooth.

CimplyMe can create reports that patients can share with their healthcare providers, aiming to support patients to have more efficient consultations and informed treatment decisions with their healthcare providers guided by the health metrics and objective injection log.

The ava Connect e-device is part of a portfolio of CIMZIA self-injection devices that includes the CIMZIA pre-filled syringe and the AutoClicks pre-filled pen. The portfolio aims to provide to HCPs and patients the choice to identify together the right device for the unmet patient needs and hence to help improve patient self-injection experience, help increase adherence and potentially improve clinical outcomes. UCB continued its partnership with OXO, a company known for thoughtful, consumer friendly designs, to develop the ava Connect e-device.

About OXO

Founded in 1990 on the concept of inclusive universal design, OXO creates household products that make everyday task and chores better. The OXO portfolio spans several categories: cooking, baking, cleaning, storage and organization, coffee and baby. OXO is available in 90 countries worldwide; its iconic products are included in the permanent collections of numerous museums, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. The brand has won over 100 design awards worldwide.

3a8082e126