Assessment of Functional Disorders in Students Under Academic Internet Load Conditions Associated with Cervical Osteochondrosis

Abstract

Aim. To assess the adaptive responses of central hemodynamics in medical university students with cervical osteochondrosis under conditions of intensive academic internet load.
Methods. In a screening survey of 315 students aged 17–23 years, clinical symptoms associated with cervical osteochondrosis were identified in 43.5% (n=137), of whom radiographically confirmed changes in the cervical spine (on referral by a neurologist) were detected in 74.5% (n=102) of cases. Based on the dynamics of subjective complaints, two groups were formed: with episodic (Group II, n=68) and persistent (Group III, n=34) clinical symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The reference group (Group I, n=40) comprised individuals without the above disorders. Central hemodynamic parameters were assessed at three time points: at rest, immediately after a physical test (20 squats), and after a 10-minute recovery period.
Results. In Groups II and III, the predominant radiographic markers were reduced intervertebral disc height and narrowing of intervertebral spaces (54.9% and 18.3%, respectively), pathological mobility of the vertebral motion segment (VMS) (21.7% and 78.1%), its displacement (30.9% and 52.3%), and Kovac subluxation (6.1% and 34.0%). Students in Groups II and III showed considerable variability in stroke index (SI) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPVR), particularly at the load stage, against a background of a significant increase in cardiac output (CO), with a clear predominance of the hyperkinetic type of blood circulation. This type of hemodynamic response retained its leading position during the recovery phase in Group III subjects as well, which was interpreted as evidence of narrowing adaptive reserves of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Most Group II subjects with mild transient clinical symptoms showed the eukinetic type, whereas the hypokinetic variant predominated in the control group, reflecting a higher adaptive potential.
Conclusions. Radiographically verified findings (instability and lateral displacement of the VMS in the cervical spine, Kovac subluxation) correlate with the regular occurrence of clinical manifestations of functional disorders in students, including those of the cardiovascular system, against the background of academic load at university involving the use of internet resources.