Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Department

Brain Health

First Committee Member

Sharon Jalene

Number of Pages

108

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of mobile gaming has introduced unique ergonomic challenges that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the practicality and preliminary effectiveness of an ergonomic protocol designed to improve posture, reduce pain, and maintain gaming performance among mobile gamers. A pre-post design was implemented with two participants aged 18–34 years. The six-week intervention included ergonomic education, postural training, scheduled breaks, and targeted stretching and strengthening exercises. Quantitative data on gaming performance using Call of Duty Mobile Scores, pain assessed through the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2), and ergonomic risk factors will be collected using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Descriptive analysis and raw data revealed improvements in postural alignment, as indicated by reduced REBA scores and decreases in self-reported pain following the intervention. Participants also reported increased ergonomic knowledge, awareness, and confidence in identifying risk factors. Gaming performance showed variable changes, suggesting that ergonomic modifications did not negatively impact performance over time. These findings suggest that ergonomic interventions may be beneficial in reducing musculoskeletal risk and promoting healthy gaming behaviors without compromising performance. However, due to the feasibility nature of the study, further research is needed to support generalizability and long-term outcomes.

Keywords

ergonomics; gaming

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

File Format

PDF

File Size

2200 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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