Prevalence of Long Term Effects on Neck Muscles in IT Professionals Using Smartphones for Prolonged Hours

Abstract

Background: People of all ages have started using smartphones for a variety of daily tasks, making them an indispensable item in daily life. Smartphones are an important source of information and pleasure in addition to being a tool for communication. The world is getting more and more reliant on smartphones, which may contribute to a number of musculoskeletal issues. Forward head posture is caused due to prolonged time spent in using smartphones thus causing neck disabilities as a long term complication. Continuously checking and/or using smartphone apps for extended amounts of time is linked to stress, withdrawal, anxiety, disturbed sleep, less physical activity, worse academic performance, and a decline in wellbeing. Method: Based on a random sampling method the subjects were allocated. Participants were chosen following informed consent. A sample size of 40 individuals was taken. Subjects were chosen according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence was checked using the outcome measures – Smartphone Addiction Scale –Short Version, Neck Disability Index and Visual Analogue Scale. Result: The statistical analysis was done using Instat app and Microsoft excel. Significance for each outcome measure was calculated separately (SAS-SV, VAS, NDI). The SAS- SV had a mean value of 31.2, NDI had a mean value of 19.1 and the mean value of VAS at rest and on activity was 2.575 and 6.35 respectively. Conclusion: The results of the study thus prove that prolonged smartphone usage can cause long term effects in the body of an individual. Neck disability Index was seen moderately in individuals using smartphones for prolonged hours.