Correlation Between Smartphone Use and Text Neck Posture in Asymptomatic Subjects

This study will be conducted to investigate the correlation between the number of hours of smartphone usage and severity of text neck posture, cervical ROM, DNF endurance and resting head posture among asymptomatic 18 to 25 years old adults

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Smartphone Addiction; Text Neck Posture

Detailed Description

Smartphone use has increased significantly globally, with 79% of adults aged 18-44 carrying a smartphone constantly. This can cause excessive anterior curves in the neck vertebrae and increase the mechanical load on cervical spine joints. Overuse syndrome, spinal damage, and other side effects can result. This study aims to investigate the correlation between time spent using smartphones and text neck posture and its association with head and neck posture, cervical ROM, and DNF endurance among asymptomatic 18-25-year-olds.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 30

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Giza, Egypt
    • Misr University for Science and Technology

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Thirty, males and females students, with age 18 - 25 years old recruited from faculty of physical therapy in Misr University for Science and Technology, 6 October, Egypt.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals who are willing to participate at the time of data collection.
2. Individuals aged 18 - 25 years old.
3. Individuals who use a smartphone to report the duration of weekly usage (at least one year of using a smartphone and minimum duration of smartphone use of ≥1 h per day

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous history of an accident or severe injury.
2. Any neurological or cardiovascular problem.
3. Spinal surgery or any disease that prevents the individual from adopting an unsupported orthostatic posture.
4. Congenital cervical problem.
5. Pregnant women.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Assessing the average duration of smartphone screen time	A mobile application called Screen Time Restrain Yourself measures smartphone usage in hours over the past week, allowing users to monitor their daily usage without disrupting normal smartphone use.	at baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Assessment of head and neck posture	Photogrammetry is a reliable method for measuring head and cervical spine postures. It involves taking sagittal photographs of the subject's head tilt angle and neck tilt angle. A camera is positioned at a height corresponding to the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) level, and spherical markers are attached to the right tragus, canthus, and spinal process. The subject is instructed to sit on a chair, maintain a resting head posture, and perform full flexion and extension three times. The average of angles from repeated photos is used to reduce bias. Fatigue time is reported after ten minutes of use with a smartphone.	at baseline
Assessment of cervical range of motion	Cervical ROM is measured using a universal goniometer, with subjects placed flat on the floor and supported on a lap. They move their head in flexion and extension, with the goniometer placed over the external auditory meatus, fixed arm perpendicular to the floor, and movable arm with the nose base. For cervical rotation, they turn the head to the left or right side, and for lateral flexion, they touch the ear to a shoulder of the same side. The goniometer is a valid and reliable tool for measuring cervical ROM, with good interrater and intraterrater reliability.	at baseline
Assessment of deep neck flexor endurance	The Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance Test (NFMET) involves a subject supine, with hands resting on the abdomen and feet flat on a plinth. The subject performs chin retraction, head and neck lift, and skin folds. The test measures muscle endurance, with males having a longer average hold time than females.	at baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cairo University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 2, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 12, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): July 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 19, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 12, 2024
• Last Verified: July 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: forward head posture; smart phone use
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior, Addictive; Technology Addiction; Internet Addiction Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: Hend PhD

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No