Relationship between Internet Gaming Disorder Severity and Musculoskeletal Complaints among University Students

Background: The increasing prevalence of internet gaming among university students raises concerns about associated musculoskeletal complaints due to prolonged device usage and poor posture.Objective: To assess the relationship between internet gaming disorder severity and musculoskeletal symptoms among university students.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 380 university students aged 18-25 years, selected through purposive sampling. Participants completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (mNMQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25 with chi-square tests to determine associations between gaming disorder severity and musculoskeletal complaints.Results: Among participants, 39.2% had low, 46.3% moderate, 13.9% high, and 0.5% very high internet gaming disorder severity. Musculoskeletal symptoms were reported in the neck (46.6%), shoulders (28.9%), wrists/hands (28.9%), and lower back (31.8%). Significant associations were found between gaming severity and musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck (p=0.00), shoulders (p=0.00), wrists (p=0.000), and lower back (p=0.015).Conclusion: A significant relationship exists between internet gaming disorder severity and musculoskeletal symptoms among university students, emphasizing the need for ergonomic interventions and awareness programs.