Comparison of muscle activity between gender and between subjects with and without musculoskeletal symptoms
There were significant differences in muscle activity between gender in the extensor muscle and the abductor pollicis longus with females having higher muscle activity than men when entering the standardized 300 character SMS message, while seated, using the standard phone.
There were significant differences in muscle activity in the abductor pollicis longus between the subjects with and without musculoskeletal symptoms with higher muscle activity in the group without symptoms. The trapezius muscle activity was consistently higher in the group with symptoms, though not statistically significant.
There were no differences between the different groups of diagnosis (neck/arm pain, forearm/hand pain or both locations of pain) compared to the healthy group. All three groups showed the same pattern as the whole group of subjects with symptoms compared to the healthy group.