Risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms for touch screen mobile devices users by failure mode and effect analysis method: a data envelopment analysis approach

• Published in: Ergonomics pp. 1 - 12
• Main Author: Elghomati, Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 31.01.2025
• Subjects: risk assessment; mobile touch screen; failure mode effect analysis; musculoskeletal disorder; Data envelopment analysis
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2025.2456525

Touch-screen mobile devices (TSMDs) are digitally enhanced means of communication and information. This study aims to assess and identify the risks of musculoskeletal disorders. Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMDQ) was used with 340 university students (70% males and 30% females). Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), which uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), was applied to determine the potential musculoskeletal discomfort and its effects. The highest frequency of musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms was reported in the neck (73.53%) and lower back (67.94%), followed by the upper back (56.47%) and the right shoulder (46.18%). There was a positive correlation between the neck and musculoskeletal discomfort in; the right shoulder, upper back, right hand of base of thumb, and part of the wrist. It is essential to raise awareness among university students about the signs and risks of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms to help them prevent potential health issues in using TSMDs.