Impact of text neck symptoms on posture and mobility among college students: A study utilizing a self-designed questionnaire

Abstract

Background: Young adults today have grown up with mobile phones as an integral part of their lives. Smartphones are increasingly central to our daily routines, serving as tools for tasks both at work and home. However, excessive smartphone use can adversely affect the neck and shoulder regions by altering their biomechanics, leading to pain and discomfort—a phenomenon now recognized as "TEXT NECK." The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence rate and assess key physical variables crucial to the biomechanics of the cervical region. Methods: A total of 428 participants were selected from various colleges, and both the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD) and the Text Neck Questionnaire (TNQ) were completed by all participants. The TNQ was validated by comparing scores with those of the NPAD, and participants with a TNQ score of 15 or higher were identified for further analysis of physical parameters. Results: The prevalence rates for neck pain, shoulder pain, continuous mobile phone use, and usage exceeding 4 hours per day among college students were 29.4%, 24.3%, 68.9%, and 49.5%, respectively. Sleep quality and neck discomfort were also impacted in the 428 participants. Following TNQ scoring, 35 participants with higher scores were selected, and their range of motion (ROM), endurance, and postural angles were compared with and without phone usage. Conclusion: Significantly different results were observed in ROM, postural angles, and cervical muscle endurance. The prevalence of Text Neck among the 428 college students was 29.2%, with 80% of those having scores between 15 and 20, indicating a high prevalence among 35 participants. Physical parameters, such as ROM, endurance, and postural angles, were altered in these 35 participants, correlating with a higher rate of neck pain.