This survey had more of young participants. Proportion on male and females participants was almost same so information variation due to gender as a confounding factor can be ruled out 80% of the participants worked from office before lockdown hence it can be assured that, the change in maximum participant’s aches and pains would be due to changed working environment.

It can be seen that, the duration for working for more than 10 hrs increased in lockdown (graph 1) thus, the change in ache pain status may be attributed to this increased work duration which is getting reflected in Graph 2 where it can be seen that, the problems almost doubled in lockdown period.

Although the amount of people whose pain worsened is same, there is an addition of equal percentage of new members in this category who developed pains in this duration (table 2). Most of the people had mild pain which is a good sign as this can be easily tackled with proper ergonomics and exercises (Table 3).

Many studies reported a dose response relationship between musculoskeletal problems and duration of computer usem [11-14].

Hence, it becomes important to take a look at previous and current working hrs in these professionals. Increased work duration can be one of the reasons for adverse effect on their health leading to fatigue, muscle pains, eye strains etc. This is evident in Graph 3, where it’s seen that, percentage of people having pains almost doubled after lockdown. 36% of the participant reported to have increase in their pain intensity. Pain intensity in more than half professionals is mild but 36% participant complaining of severe intensity is alarming.

IT professionals suffer from back pain, neck pain, eye strain and headache commonly [15-18]. When asked for problem profile, maximum participants complained about similar problems i.e. eye strain, neck and back pain. Percentage of shoulder pain/trapezius pain, elbow pain, wrist pain increased by double whereas, percentage of headache, eye strains and back pain too has increased in this period (Graph 4). Over all it can be noted that, the problems have increased in lockdown.

Work station and posture play an important role in maintaining proper ergonomics in professionals. This is evident in many previous studies where it’s highlighted that, long work hrs, improper posture and static workload proportionately increase musculoskeletal load leading to MSD in IT professionals [19-21]. Hence, they were asked abbot their current work station and posture. Pictures were provided for better understanding and they were asked to tick on all the appropriate options. As seen in graph 4, 51% participants had desk present for working.28% of them took back support as and when required too.39 % of them changed posture as per the need. But, its alarming to note that, in spite of having adequately appropriate working station, 71% of the participants leaned in front to look properly at screen or preferred to lie down and work and 40% kept screen too closes. Since 40 % of the participants had disturbances noises around may be they needed to do some alterations in their posture in order to concentrate at the work in hand. Hence, they got too close to screen or did the postural alterations.

When asked for the reason for worsening or improving the problem, 70% of the participants attributed it to faulty posture and increased screen time due to some or the other reason. Those who had improvement in their problem gave credit to frequent breaks, reduced travelling and flexibility to change work. These strategies have been proved to be effective in previous studies too. Where, it was noted that supplementary breaks reduce pains and enhance productivity in IT professionals [22, 23]. It contradicts the observations of few researchers [11, 12, 24]. Physical exercise or activities such as walking, running, fitness, and stretch exercise can help to relieve pain associated with excess computer use [18].

Thus, we know the remedies for reducing the problems here. As seen in table 8, 46% participants were about adapting the right posture, taking frequent breaks and exercises, which they did to reduce their problems. Very few (9.8%) took help of medicines to handle their pain.85% of them being aware of right techniques and ergonomics did own treatment (graph 5). Their second choice for guidance regarding the treatment was physiotherapist (Table 5). This again shows their good level of awareness and faith.79% showed interest in learning more about physiotherapy and exercises to deal these problems (Table 6).

This information can be used to provide appropriate posture correction, ergonomics and work station modification techniques in computer professionals .This paper also highlights the strategies used by the professionals to reduce their problems related to pains which can be adapted by other professionals to handle their pains successfully as many suffer with just mild degree of pain for which such techniques can be of real benefit.

Over all the aches and pains have increases in computer professionals in lockdown. Many professionals suffer from neck and shoulder pain. The prevalence of elbow pain and wrist pain and eye strain has increased in lockdown. The main reason for these issues seems to be inappropriate postures in spite of having adequate works stations, disturbance while working at home and increased working hours. This is dealt successfully by them thru frequent breaks and adapting correct postures.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the participants for taking out time to participate and circulate this questionnaire. We are grateful to Kadrekar’s Orthopedic and Physiotherapy center for funding for this project.

No potential conflicts of interest