Influence of the Duration of Smartphone Usage on Flexion Angles of the Cervical and Lumbar Spine and on Reposition Error in the Cervical Spine

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the cervical flexion angle on muscle fatigue and pain in the cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius in normal adults in their 20s. [Subjects and Methods] The study’s subjects were 14 normal adults. After sitting on a chair with their back against the wall, they held a smartphone with both hands for 10 minutes and fatigue and pain in the neck and shoulder muscles were measured at different cervical flexion angles (0°, 30°, and 50°). Electromyography was performed to analyze the muscle fatigue of the right upper trapezius, left upper trapezius, right cervical erector spinae, and left cervical erector spinae, and a CommanderTM Algometer was used to measure pain. The cervical range of motion was used as an instrument to compare and analyze the cervical flexion angles. [Results] The study’s results showed statistically significant differences in the muscle fatigue and pain of the right upper trapezius and left upper trapezius depending on the cervical flexion angle and a post-hoc test showed statistically significant lower levels of muscle fatigue and pain at 50° than at 0° or 30°. No statistically significant differences were found between the right cervical erector spinae and left cervical erector spinae. [Conclusion] The cervical flexion angle during smartphone use may influence the muscle fatigue and pain of the upper trapezius.

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“…Using visual display terminals such as smartphones for a long time can cause neck and back pain1 ) . A study by Traker et al 2. )…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the cervical flexion angle during smartphone use on muscle fatigue and pain in the cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius in normal adults in their 20s

Lee

Choi²,

Kim

2017

J Phys Ther Sci

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“…Subconsciously, a person's neck flexes when focusing on a smartphone. Prolonged and excessive flexion on the lower cervical and lumbar spine predisposes towards alteration in spine ergonomics [8]. This may lead to degenerative changes in the spine with resultant back pain syndromes and neurological involvement.…”

Section: Commentarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Appropriating Smartphone Culture into Medicine

Ping¹

2017

J Nurs Health Stud

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“…Usually, neck pain increases as age increases, but nowadays younger patients are reporting neck pain more than ever [6]. Sustained pressure on the neck joints [10] is causing disturbed signals to the brain that might cause balance problems and disturbed neck proprioception [5,7,11]. Proper balance and controlling head and eye movements is dependent on afferent input from different systems at the same time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of smartphone usage on cervical proprioception and balance in healthy adults

Alshahrani¹,

Aly²,

Abdrabo³

et al. 2018

biomedicalresearch

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Purpose: Individuals are utilizing smartphones for different tasks on a daily basis. Prolonged smartphone usage might lead to deficient postures such as forward head posture and rounded shoulders. The purpose of this study was to look at the impact of the heavy use of smartphones versus light use on Joint Position Error (JPE), Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), and balance measures. Method: Thirty healthy participants were recruited in this study, and they were divided into two groups: light use (phone use<4 h/d) and heavy use (phone use>4 h/d). Subjects were assessed for cervical repositioning errors using the JPE test. Forward head posture was measured by CVA. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Biodex stability system. Results: There was a significant increase in JPE of both right and left rotation in the heavy-use group compared with that of light-use group. Also, there was a significant increase in balance indices in the heavy-use group. However, there was no significant difference in CVA between groups. Conclusion: Our study showed that prolonged duration of smartphone use could negatively affect cervical proprioception and dynamic balance ability. Further considerations are required to outline the negative impacts of heavy usage of smartphones and to implement preventive measures.

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Influence of the Duration of Smartphone Usage on Flexion Angles of the Cervical and Lumbar Spine and on Reposition Error in the Cervical Spine

Cited by 72 publications

References 30 publications

Effects of the cervical flexion angle during smartphone use on muscle fatigue and pain in the cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius in normal adults in their 20s

Effects of the cervical flexion angle during smartphone use on muscle fatigue and pain in the cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius in normal adults in their 20s

Appropriating Smartphone Culture into Medicine

Impact of smartphone usage on cervical proprioception and balance in healthy adults

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