Musculoskeletal Pain in Undergraduate Students Is Significantly Associated with Psychological Distress and Poor Sleep Quality

Abstract

Musculoskeletal pain (MSKP), psychological distress, and poor sleep quality are common among undergraduate university students. Yet, few studies have assessed the association between MSKP and psychological distress and poor sleep quality. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine this association among undergraduate students at a major public university in Saudi Arabia. MSKP was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) questionnaire, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A total of 339 undergraduate students from various specialties provided complete responses and were included. The most common site of MSKP in the past 12 months and the past 7 days were neck pain (54.6% and 41.9%, respectively) and low back pain (49.4% and 48.2%, respectively). There was no difference in the prevalence of MSKP across colleges. The reported MSKP in the past 12 months and 7 days were significantly associated with the students’ level of anxiety and stress as well as sleep quality (p < 0.05 for all), while depression was only significantly associated with MSKP in the past 7 days.

Acute Low Back Pain Among Both Medical and Non-Medical Students Post Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan

“…In relation to online learning, Table (4) shows that 85.6% of medical students with LBP practiced e-learning, a figure closely mirrored by non-medical participants at 89.3%. Table (5) presents the mean severity of pain: 4.32 for medical, and 4.64 for nonmedical, with standard deviations of 1.6 and 1.7, respectively.…”

“…This challenges the conventional wisdom that LBP predominately affects older individuals, as it is frequently also found among adolescents (7) . According to the available literature, medical students in advanced semesters undertaking increased hospital-based practical activities experience a higher prevalence of LBP compared to their juniors (4) .…”

Prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality among industrial workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: findings from a cross-sectional study

“…The existing financial distress in Ethiopia because of steadily rising inflation might also contribute to the high proportion of poor sleep quality, unlike studies conducted in Thailand, Singapore and China, in which the study participants live in relatively stable economic conditions. Moreover, this high proportion of sleep problems might also be linked with the higher prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) developed by Ethiopian garment and textile workers than those countries, as evidence indicates MSDs increase poor sleep quality 87 88…”

Conditioned pain modulation and psychological factors in young adults with recurrent or chronic neck pain

“…3,4 However, a high prevalence of neck pain has been found in University students despite their young age. 5,6 Regardless of high investments in the study and treatment of neck pain, the age-standardized point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability due to neck pain have not changed over the last 30 years, 2 and more than one-fifth of acute neck pain patients continue from suffering from recurrent episodes or persistent pain. 7 Most patients with neck pain did not show pathoanatomical causes that could explain their pain 8 or associated trauma, being diagnosed with non-specific neck pain (NSNP).…”

“…The prevalence is higher in women and increases with age, peaking between 70 and 74 years of age 3,4 . However, a high prevalence of neck pain has been found in University students despite their young age 5,6 . Regardless of high investments in the study and treatment of neck pain, the age‐standardized point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability due to neck pain have not changed over the last 30 years, 2 and more than one‐fifth of acute neck pain patients continue from suffering from recurrent episodes or persistent pain 7 .…”