Digital Health and Wellness

John CribbJoy Edwards

Patricia JohnsonRhonda Grubb

Digital Health and Wellness

• Definition: The elements of physical and psychological well-being related to digital technology use (as cited in Ribble, Bailey)

Ribble, M. & Bailey G. (2007). The nine elements of digital citizenship. In M. Ribble & G. Bailey (Eds.), Digital citizenship in schools (pp. 13-37).Eugene, Oregon: ISTE

Focus Questions

• What is digital health and wellness and why is it important to technology users?

• What is Internet addiction and why is it important to identify?

Objectives

• Participants will learn the symptoms of repetitive strain injuries and strategies to avoid such injuries.

• Participants will learn the symptoms of Internet addiction and available treatment options.

Research on

Neck, Back, and Shoulder Symptoms • “More than half of

computer users each year develop neck, back, or shoulder symptoms and just over one-third develop an impairment or the loss of some function,”

Research onWrist, Hand, and Arm Symptoms

• Nearly 40% of people develop hand or arm symptoms each year.

• 21% of people actually develop a disorder.

Research onEyestrain, Headaches,

and Blurred Vision• More than 50% of

computer users experience eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision that is related to the use of the computer.

Digital Health and Wellness Survey

Repetitive Strain Injuries

• RSI occurs from repeated physical movements that damage tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues

• RSI occurs as a result of thousands of repeated keystrokes and long periods of clutching and dragging a mouse slowly causing damage to the body

What are the Symptoms?• Tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness or burning in the

hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows

• Tingling, coldness, or numbness in the hands

• Clumsiness or loss of strength and coordination in the hands

• Pain that wakes you up at night

• Feeling a need to massage your hands, wrists, and arms

• Pain in the upper back, shoulders, or neck associated with using the computer

Computer Eye Strain Symptoms• Headaches while doing or following computer use

• Irritated and/or dry eyes

• Blurred vision

• Slow refocusing when looking from screen to distance objects

• Frequently losing place when moving eyes between copy and the screen

• Difficulty seeing clearly at a distance

• Occasional doubling of vision

• Changes in color perception

• Changes in glasses prescription

Injury Prevention and Ergonomic Product Solutions

Back and Shoulder Injury Prevention

• Arm levels

• Use frequent breaks to STRETCH

• Purchase an ergonomic chair with lumbar support

• Adjustable desk

Neck Strain Prevention

• Proper feet and leg positioning

• Document placement

• Purchasing a foot rest and document holder

Wrist Injury Prevention

• Wrist placement

• Rest and relax your wrists

• Wrist rests

Eye Strain Prevention

• Use the 20-20-20 Rule

• Use ample lighting

• Alleviate dry eyes

• Keep eye re-checks up to date

• Screen brightness

Ergonomic Prevention

Techniques

Ergonomic Prevention

Techniques

Equipment FocusEquipment Focus

Keyboard Techniques

• Keystrokes

• Learn “hot keys”

• Dictation software

• Adjustable keyboard systems

Mouse Techniques

• Grip of the mouse

• Mouse placement

• Entire arm for mouse movement

• Find a mouse for YOU

FREEZE!

• DO NOT MOVE!

• LOOK at how you are sitting…

• Use a for answering polled questions.

Proper Positions

Notice:

What is Internet addiction? Internet addiction is

defined as any online-related, compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one's work environment.

www.netaddiction.com

Online Gaming Addiction

Warning Signs• compulsively using the Internet

• snapping yelling, or acting annoyed if someone bothers you while you are on-line

• lying or hiding the extent or nature of your online behavior

• using the Internet as a means to regularly alter your mood

• forming new relationships with other online users

• losing sleep because of late night log-ins

Types of Internet Addiction• Interactive online applications such as:

chatting, blogging, and social networking like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter

Online GamingAdolescents are the most at risk for this type of addiction.

Boys and girls who have ADHD.

Boys and girls who exhibit hostile behavior.

Girls with social phobias.or who are depressed.

Middle-aged adults who have recently become empty nesters.

Other Types of Internet Addiction

• eBay and other auction sites

• Online gambling

• Pornography and cybersexual addictions

Survey Results

Treatment Options for Internet AddictsTreatment Options for Internet Addicts

• Not an official disorder

• Problem of compulsive stimulation • Hobby vs Addiction • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

1. Is abstinence best?2. Motivational interviewing3. Identification of triggers

Self-TreatmentSelf-Treatment• Acceptance of disorder • Use virtual assistant• Set computer use boundaries• Accountability with help of family and friends• Modify routine• Use computer for business only• Track progress• Develop other hobbies

If self-treatment does not work, seekprofessional help.

Parents: Questions that must be askedParents: Questions that must be asked• How is child being affected by the internet?How is child being affected by the internet?• Does he suffer from psychological or physicalDoes he suffer from psychological or physical symptoms?symptoms?• Are his studies getting adversely affected? Are his studies getting adversely affected? • Is he becoming uncommunicative at home?Is he becoming uncommunicative at home?• Are his relationships at home getting affected?Are his relationships at home getting affected?• Do you think he may need counseling to help him getDo you think he may need counseling to help him get over his addiction?over his addiction?•Are you sure that you are not addicted to the internetAre you sure that you are not addicted to the internet yourself? yourself?

What Can Parents Do?What Can Parents Do?

Address the problem Show you care Become more computer savvy Set reasonable rules Use as a reward Surf with your child Ask questions

Technology vs TechnologyTechnology vs Technology

Available Software• Optenet PC• Cyber Patrol• Safe Eyes 5.0• Net Nanny for Mac

Are You Addicted?Are You Addicted?Internet Addiction TestHow do you know if you're already addicted or rapidly tumbling toward trouble?

http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?option=com_bfquiz&view=onepage&catid=46&Itemid=106

Other Tests Partners of Internet Addicts Test Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test

• http://www.ergonomictimes.com/• http://www.ergooutfitters.com/html/keyboards.shtml• http://www.ergooutfitters.com/html/footrests.shtml• http://www.sixwise.com/Newsletters/2009/June/17/Computer-Related-Injuries-on-

the-Rise.htm• http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Computer_Basics/

Computer_Related_Injuries_Guide.html• http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/neck-shoulder-pain-computer-use.html• http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html• http://www.visionworksusa.com/com/computereyestrain.htm• http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=3832&cn=66• http://www.ikeepsafe.org/PRC/topics/?action=display_article&article_id=126• http://www.optenetpc.com/internet-addiction.html• http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?

option=com_bfquiz&view=onepage&catid=46&Itemid=106

References