Factors associated with neck disorders among university student smartphone users

In our digital society, the use of smartphones has increased rapidly. Parallel with the growing use of smartphones, musculoskeletal problems associated with intensive smartphone use have also increased. Neck flexion is the most commonly adopted posture by smartphone users while looking at the visual display terminals of smartphones for extended periods; this posture may lead to neck disorders.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in smartphone users in Thailand in order to confirm high prevalence of neck pain. The study also aimed to determine all possible factors associated with neck disorders among smartphone users.

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with 779 undergraduate smartphone users. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect self-report measures of smartphone use and musculoskeletal disorders. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participant characteristics and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors.

The most painful body region after the use of smartphones over a 12-month period was found to be the neck (32.50%). Factors associated with neck disorders were a flexed neck posture (Odds Ratio (OR): = 2.44, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.21-4.90) and smoking (OR 8.99, 95% CI 1.88-42.87).

The results suggest that to address neck disorders in smartphone users preventive initiatives should focus on reducing flexed neck postures and smoking.