The possible negative effects of prolonged technology-based online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic on body functions and wellbeing: a review article

Shimaa Mohammad Yousof; Rasha Eid Alsawat; Jumana  Ali Almajed; Ameera Abdulaziz Alkhamesi; Renad  Mane Alsuhaimi; Shrooq  Abdulrhman Alssed; Iman Mohmad Wahby Salem

doi:10.20883/medical.e522

Authors

Shimaa Mohammad Yousof Associate Professor of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5996-8919
Rasha Eid Alsawat King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Jumana Ali Almajed King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Ameera Abdulaziz Alkhamesi King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Renad Mane Alsuhaimi King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Shrooq Abdulrhman Alssed King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Iman Mohmad Wahby Salem Professor of Community Medicine, Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh; Community Medicine Department, Al Azhar University, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20883/medical.e522

Keywords:

COVID-19, Pandemics, Technology-based Learning, Smartphones, Tablets, Body Functions, Cognitive Function, Sleep, Headache, Life Style, Food Habits, Earphones, Headphones, Eye Fatigue, Low Back Pain

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had impact on life on a global scale, however, one of the most affected aspects are the teaching and learning practices. Advances in technology have made distance learning a good alternative option for on-site learning, as students can both interact with one another and with the tutor, use audio, video, text to learn, as well as use the internet for research purposes. However, this mode of education will extend throughout 2020 and early 2021, which could have negative implications on the health and body functions of university students. This review aims to shed light on the negative consequences of the prolonged technology-based, remote online learning on the students’ wellbeing. Therefore, in this review we will discuss some of the physiological functions and body systems which could be affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in an attempt to suggest preventive measures in advance for safe technology-based learning.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Mishra L, Gupta T, Shree A. Online teaching-learning in higher education during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Educ Res Open. 2020;1:100012.

Albeladi FI, Yousof SM, Omar N, Tash R. The outcome of the online virtual classes during COVID-19 pandemic: A study in the female campus of the faculty of medicine in Rabigh-King Abdulaziz University. Medknow Publications; 2021 [cited 2021 Jul 24]; Available from: https://www.jmau.org/preprintarticle.asp?id=321055;type=0 DOI: 10.4103/jmau.jmau_124_20

Kim J. Learning and Teaching Online During Covid-19: Experiences of Student Teachers in an Early Childhood Education Practicum. Int J Early Child. 2020;52:145–58. DOI: 10.1007/s13158-020-00272-6

Dhawan S. Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis. J Educ Technol Syst [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Mar 30]; Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7308790/ https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018

Bazan D, Nowicki M, Rzymski P. Medical students as the volunteer workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic: Polish experience. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021;55:102109. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102109

Rasmussen S, Sperling P, Poulsen MS, Emmersen J, Andersen S. Medical students for health-care staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet. Elsevier; 2020;395:e79–80. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30923-5

Guragai M, Achanta A, Gopez AY, Niyotwambaza J, Cardoso LG, Estavillo NL, et al. Medical Students’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience and Recommendations from Five Countries. Perspect Biol Med. 2020;63:623–31. DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2020.0051

Mahmood S. Instructional Strategies for Online Teaching in COVID-19 Pandemic. Hum Behav Emerg Technol. 2021;3:199–203. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.218

Oliveira M, Penedo A, Pereira V. Distance education: advantages and disadvantages of the point of view of education and society. Dialogia. 2018;139–52. DOI:10.5585/dialogia.N29.7661

Kim DJ, Lim C-Y, Gu N, Park CY. Visual Fatigue Induced by Viewing a Tablet Computer with a High-resolution Display. Korean J Ophthalmol KJO. 2017;31:388–93. DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2016.0095

Wacks Y, Weinstein AM. Excessive Smartphone Use Is Associated With Health Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:669042. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669042

Park Y-H, An C-M, Moon S-J. Effects of visual fatigue caused by smartphones on balance function in healthy adults. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29:221–3. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.29.221

Hasan N, Bao Y. Impact of “e-Learning crack-up” perception on psychological distress among college students during COVID-19 pandemic: A mediating role of “fear of academic year loss.” Child Youth Serv Rev. 2020;118:105355. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105355

Kang S, Hong JE, Choi E jung, Lyu J. Blue-light Induces the Selective Cell Death of Photoreceptors in Mouse Retina. J Korean Ophthalmic Opt Soc. The Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society; 2016;21:69–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.14479/jkoos.2016.21.1.69

Jakhar D, Kaul S, Kaur I. Increased usage of smartphones during COVID-19: Is that blue light causing skin damage? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19:2466–7. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13662

Lateiner J, Sainburg R. Differential contributions of vision and proprioception to movement accuracy. Exp Brain Res Exp Hirnforsch Expérimentation Cérébrale. 2003;151:446–54. DOI: 10.1007/s00221-003-1503-8

Park HJ, Yi K. Relationship between Middle school Students’ Computer using Time and Dry eye. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc. 2015;43:449–54.

Bogdănici CM, Săndulache DE, Nechita CA. Eyesight quality and Computer Vision Syndrome. Romanian J Ophthalmol. 2017;61:112–6. DOI: 10.22336/rjo.2017.21

Altalhi A, Khayyat W, Khojah O, Alsalmi M, Almarzouki H. Computer Vision Syndrome Among Health Sciences Students in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Risk Factors. Cureus. 2020;12:e7060. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.7060

Talens-Estarelles C, Sanchis-Jurado V, Esteve-Taboada JJ, Pons ÁM, García-Lázaro S. How Do Different Digital Displays Affect the Ocular Surface? Optom Vis Sci Off Publ Am Acad Optom. 2020;97:1070–9.

Jaiswal S, Asper L, Long J, Lee A, Harrison K, Golebiowski B. Ocular and visual discomfort associated with smartphones, tablets and computers: what we do and do not know. Clin Exp Optom. 2019;102:463–77. DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12851

Fredrick DR. Myopia. BMJ. 2002;324:1195–9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7347.1195

Hansen MH, Laigaard PP, Olsen EM, Skovgaard AM, Larsen M, Kessel L, et al. Low physical activity and higher use of screen devices are associated with myopia at the age of 16-17 years in the CCC2000 Eye Study. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 2020;98:315–21. DOI: 10.1111/aos.14242

Pawlaczyk-Luszczynska M, Dudarewicz A, Zamojska-Daniszewska M, Zaborowski K, Rutkowska-Kaczmarek P. Noise Exposure and Hearing Status Among Call Center Operators. Noise Health. 2018;20:178–89. DOI: 10.4103/nah.NAH_11_18

Widen SE, Båsjö S, Möller C, Kähäri K. Headphone listening habits and hearing thresholds in swedish adolescents. Noise Health. 2017;19:125–32. DOI: 10.4103/nah.NAH_65_16

Nunes AD da S, Silva CR de L, Balen SA, Souza DLB de, Barbosa IR. Prevalence of hearing impairment and associated factors in school-aged children and adolescents: a systematic review. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;85:244–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.10.009

Mazlan R, Saim L, Thomas A, Said R, Liyab B. Ear Infection and Hearing Loss Amongst Headphone Users. Malays J Med Sci MJMS. 2002;9:17–22. PMCID: PMC3406203

Herrera S, Lacerda ABM de, Lürdes D, Rocha F, Alcaràs PA, Ribeiro LH. Amplified music with headphones and its implications on hearing health in teens. Int Tinnitus J. 2016;20:42–7. DOI: 10.5935/0946-5448.20160008

Han BI, Lee HW, Kim TY, Lim JS, Shin KS. Tinnitus: Characteristics, Causes, Mechanisms, and Treatments. J Clin Neurol Seoul Korea. 2009;5:11–9. DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2009.5.1.11

Zocoli AMF, Morata TC, Marques JM, Corteletti LJ. Brazilian young adults and noise: attitudes, habits, and audiological characteristics. Int J Audiol. 2009;48:692–9. DOI: 10.1080/14992020902971331

Sunny OD, Asoegwu CN, Abayomi SO. Subjective tinnitus and its association with use of ear phones among students of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Int Tinnitus J. 2012;17:169–72. DOI: 10.5935/0946-5448.20120030

Danishyar A, Ashurst JV. Acute Otitis Media. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 [cited 2021 Apr 2]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470332/ PMID: 29262176

Baguley DM. Hyperacusis. J R Soc Med. 2003;96:582–5. DOI: 10.1258/jrsm.96.12.582

Abdollahzade F, Mohammadi F, Dianat I, Asghari E, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Sokhanvar Z. Working posture and its predictors in hospital operating room nurses. Health Promot Perspect. 2016;6:17–22. DOI: 10.15171/hpp.2016.03

Hakala PT, Rimpelä AH, Saarni LA, Salminen JJ. Frequent computer-related activities increase the risk of neck–shoulder and low back pain in adolescents. Eur J Public Health. 2006;16:536–41. DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckl025

Gheysvandi E, Dianat I, Heidarimoghadam R, Tapak L, Karimi-Shahanjarini A, Rezapur-Shahkolai F. Neck and shoulder pain among elementary school students: prevalence and its risk factors. BMC Public Health. 2019;19:1299. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7706-0

Aroori S, Spence RA. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Ulster Med J. 2008;77:6–17. PMCID: PMC2397020

Kibret AK, Gebremeskel BF, Gezae KE, Tsegay GS. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Bankers in Ethiopia, 2018. Pain Res Manag [Internet]. Hindawi Limited; 2020 [cited 2021 Apr 4];2020. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7499342/ DOI: 10.1155/2020/8735169

Vc H, Dm U, Hl K, Mr S. Ergonomic design and training for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb and neck in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev; 2012 [cited 2021 Apr 3];2012. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22895977/ UWAGA PEŁNE NAZWISKA : Victor C W Hoe , Donna M Urquhart, Helen L Kelsall, Malcolm R Sim DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008570.pub2

Korhonen T, Ketola R, Toivonen R, Luukkonen R, Häkkänen M, Viikari-Juntura E. Work related and individual predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units. Occup Environ Med. 2003;60:475–82. DOI: 10.1136/oem.60.7.475

An S. Associations between activities and low back pain in adolescents. Scand J Med Sci Sports [Internet]. Scand J Med Sci Sports; 2004 [cited 2021 Apr 3];14. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15546330/ UWAGA: Astrid N Sjolie DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004.377.x

Palmer KT, Cooper C, Walker-Bone K, Syddall H, Coggon D. Use of keyboards and symptoms in the neck and arm: evidence from a national survey. Occup Med Oxf Engl. 2001;51:392–5. DOI: 10.1093/occmed/51.6.392

Reddy S, Reddy V, Sharma S. Physiology, Circadian Rhythm. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 [cited 2021 Mar 21]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519507/ PMID: 30137792

Liu S, Wing YK, Hao Y, Li W, Zhang J, Zhang B. The associations of long-time mobile phone use with sleep disturbances and mental distress in technical college students: a prospective cohort study. Sleep. 2019;42. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsy213

Eugene AR, Masiak J. The Neuroprotective Aspects of Sleep. MEDtube Sci. 2015;3:35–40. PMID: 26594659

Rasch B, Born J. About Sleep’s Role in Memory. Physiol Rev. 2013;93:681–766. DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00032.2012

Potkin KT, Bunney WE. Sleep Improves Memory: The Effect of Sleep on Long Term Memory in Early Adolescence. PLoS ONE [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2021 Apr 4];7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3413705/ DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042191

Dragun R, Veček NN, Marendić M, Pribisalić A, Đivić G, Cena H, et al. Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia? Nutrients. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; 2021;13:97. DOI: 10.3390/nu13010097

Huang Q, Li Y, Huang S, Qi J, Shao T, Chen X, et al. Smartphone Use and Sleep Quality in Chinese College Students: A Preliminary Study. Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:352. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00352

Rafique N, Al-Asoom LI, Alsunni AA, Saudagar FN, Almulhim L, Alkaltham G. Effects of Mobile Use on Subjective Sleep Quality. Nat Sci Sleep. 2020;12:357–64. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S253375

He J, Tu Z, Xiao L, Su T, Tang Y. Effect of restricting bedtime mobile phone use on sleep, arousal, mood, and working memory: A randomized pilot trial. PLOS ONE. Public Library of Science; 2020;15:e0228756. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228756

Sidor A, Rzymski P. Dietary Choices and Habits during COVID-19 Lockdown: Experience from Poland. Nutrients. Switzerland; 2020;12. DOI: 10.3390/nu12061657

Bennett G, Young E, Butler I, Coe S. The Impact of Lockdown During the COVID-19 Outbreak on Dietary Habits in Various Population Groups: A Scoping Review. Front Nutr [Internet]. Frontiers; 2021 [cited 2021 Jul 17];0. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.626432/full DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.626432

Dunton GF, Do B, Wang SD. Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in children living in the U.S. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:1351. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09429-3

Demir YP, Sumer MM. Effects of smartphone overuse on headache, sleep and quality of life in migraine patients. Neurosci Riyadh Saudi Arab. 2019;24:115–21. DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2019.2.20180037

Chu MK, Song HG, Kim C, Lee BC. Clinical features of headache associated with mobile phone use: a cross-sectional study in university students. BMC Neurol. 2011;11:115. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-11-115

Thorud H-MS, Aurjord R, Falkenberg HK. Headache and musculoskeletal pain in school children are associated with uncorrected vision problems and need for glasses: a case–control study. Sci Rep. Nature Publishing Group; 2021;11:2093. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81497-w

Montagni I, Guichard E, Carpenet C, Tzourio C, Kurth T. Screen time exposure and reporting of headaches in young adults: A cross-sectional study. Cephalalgia Int J Headache. 2016;36:1020–7. DOI: 10.1177/0333102415620286

Uttarwar P, Vibha D, Prasad K, Srivastava AK, Pandit AK, Dwivedi SN. Smartphone use and primary headache: A cross-sectional hospital-based study. Neurol Clin Pract. 2020;10:473–9. DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000816