Problematic smartphone use as a modifiable factor in cervicogenic headache: Effects on pain, function, mood, and...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Cervicogenic headache (CeH) is a significant cause of neck pain and disability.
• The role of problematic smartphone use (PSU) in CeH is not well understood.
• Understanding factors associated with CeH can improve management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between PSU and pain intensity, functional disability, emotional distress, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in individuals with CeH.
• To compare these factors between individuals with CeH and healthy adults.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 158 adults (78 with CeH, 80 healthy controls).
• Utilized validated questionnaires including the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form, Headache Impact Test-6, Neck Disability Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Jenkins Sleep Scale, and SF-12.
• Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations and identify predictors.

Main Results:

• Individuals with CeH reported significantly higher levels of PSU, headache impact, neck disability, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance compared to controls (p < 0.05).
• The CeH group had significantly lower physical and mental health-related quality of life scores.
• PSU was positively associated with depressive symptoms (r=0.224) and poor sleep quality (r=0.369), and negatively with mental quality of life (r=-0.277).

Conclusions:

• Problematic smartphone use is associated with increased symptom burden, emotional distress, sleep disturbances, and reduced quality of life in individuals with cervicogenic headache.
• Neck-related disability and mental health-related quality of life independently predicted PSU, accounting for 31% of the variance.
• Smartphone usage patterns may be a modifiable factor in comprehensive rehabilitation and lifestyle management for CeH.