Texting on mobile phones and musculoskeletal disorders in young adults: A five-year cohort study

Abstract

The aim was to examine whether texting on a mobile phone is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities in a population of young adults. In a longitudinal population-based cohort study with Swedish young adults (aged 20-24 years) data were collected via a web-based questionnaire at baseline (n = 7092) and after one and five years. Cross-sectional associations were found between text messaging and reported ongoing symptoms in neck and upper extremities (odds ratios, ORs 1.3-2.0). Among symptom-free at baseline prospective associations were only found between text messaging and new cases of reported symptoms in the hand/fingers (OR 2.0) at one year follow up. Among those with symptoms at baseline prospective associations were found between text messaging and maintained pain in neck/upper back (OR 1.6). The results imply mostly short-term effects, and to a lesser extent, long-term effects on musculoskeletal disorders in neck and upper extremities.

Correlation of smartphone use addiction with text neck syndrome and SMS thumb in physiotherapy students

“…16 Similar conclusions were given by Eva Gustaffson et al, who showed that the physical exposure while text messaging on a mobile phone consists of low physical load, repetitive thumb movements and excessive neck flexion, causing neck pain and soreness, also concluded prospective associations were found between text messaging on mobile phones and MSDs, implying mostly short term effects, and to lesser extent long term effects on MSDs in neck and upper extremities. 1 Also, Sharan et al concluded text messaging has an adverse effect on musculoskeletal system of hand in persons who extensively use mobile phone, and different pathologies described were tendinitis of extensor pollicis longus, myofascial pain syndrome of thenar muscles and 1st interossei, De Quervain"s syndrome. 19 Hakala et al also reported that frequent use of mobile phones increases the risk of neck-shoulder and lower back pain in adolescents.…”

“…1 If text neck is left untreated, then it can lead to some serious permanent damage, such as flattening of the spinal curve, early arthritis; spinal misalignment, spinal degeneration or disc compression, disc herniation, or nerve damage. 2 Text neck most commonly causes neck pain and soreness.…”

“…In a study of university students of the United States, text messaging (SMS) was emerged as the most frequently used type of communicative medium. 1 A recent study shows that 79% of the population between the age 18-44 have their cell phones with them almost all the time, with only 2 hours of their walking day spend without their cell in hand. 2 The term "Text neck" was coined by Dr. Dean L. Fishman, who is a US chiropractor.…”

F8-3 The Effects of Smartphone Edge Display on EMG Activity of Thumb Muscles in One-handed Interaction

“…They use their smartphones to play games, do social network system (SNS), browse web, and watch videos for interaction with their family, friends, or other peoples (Do & Gatica-Perez, 2013). Smartphone users' finger muscles suffer from musculoskeletal disorders while using the smartphones, because they touch the smartphone thousands of time (Gustafsson et al, 2017). For this reason, physical comfort is an essential requirement for designing smartphones.…”

Influence of Smartphone Addiction on Grip and Pinch Strength in Collegiate Population – An Observational Study.

“…2 The global rapid adoption of text messaging has raised concerns that high volumes of these activities could lead to musculoskeletal disorders (msds). 3 there are growing number of case studies that have identified that, first carpometacarpal (cmc) arthritis, tendonitis and tenosynovitis has been developing among individuals sending a high volume of text message.…”