Effects of electronic device overuse by university students in relation to clinical status and anatomical variations of the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament.

Abstract in brief

• The study found that university students who used electronic devices intensively (around 5 hours daily) showed more signs of median nerve issues, including positive clinical tests for carpal tunnel syndrome and reports of wrist and hand pain.
• Ultrasonographic measurements revealed that intensive users had larger median nerve cross-sectional areas, greater nerve flattening, and more bowing of the transverse carpal ligament, suggesting anatomical changes due to overuse.
• The findings suggest that excessive use of electronic devices may negatively impact the median nerve and surrounding structures in the wrist, potentially leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain, and highlight the need for caution in device usage.