American scientists have found that the number of computer-related injuries jumped by 732 per cent in the US between 1994 and 2006.

The study, conducted in part by the Ohio State University College of Medicine, discovered that over 78,000 people in the US were taken to hospital for a range of issues, such as aches and pains after tripping over wires, being hit by falling devices and getting electrocuted.

Speaking on behalf of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Center for Injury Research and Policy, Dr Lara B McKenzie said: "Future research on acute computer-related injuries is needed as this ubiquitous product becomes more intertwined in our everyday lives."

She added: "Given the large increase in acute computer-related injuries over the study period, greater efforts are needed to prevent such injuries, especially among young children."

One recurrent problem which computer users may be getting is that of repetitive stress injury, with many internet addicts and office workers regularly developing such symptoms.

More than half of small businesses (53 per cent) believe that the most important benefit of outsourcing is guaranteed response times for IT support. London-based Connect conducted the research in 2007.