June 18, 2009, 10:37 AM — Excessive use of mobile messaging services can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI), but there are ways to avoid it, according to a researcher at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
Heavy texters should use both thumbs to avoid pain in the hand, arm or neck, according to ergonomist Ewa Gustafsson, who conducted the study.
She also recommends sitting upright with support for both back and forearms while texting, and varying posture. Other tips include writing slowly and taking breaks when writing many and long messages, according to the study.
Many of the things users should think about in order to text safely are the same as when typing on a computer keyboard. Most people are aware of the dangers of sitting at a PC all day, but awareness when it comes to texting using small keyboards is sorely lacking, Gustafsson said.
56 young adults took part in the in the study, which is a part of a doctoral thesis called "Physical exposure, musculoskeletal symptoms and attitudes related to ICT use."
