Correlation Between Smartphone Addiction and Back Dysfunction and Core Muscle Morphology and Performance in Asymptomatic Young Adults

Correlation Between Smartphone Addiction and Back Dysfunction and Core Muscle Morphology and Performance in Asymptomatic Young Adults

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between smartphone addiction and back pain, function, and lumbar stabilizer cross-sectional area and thickness compared with non-addicted teenagers.

Smartphone prolonged use has been suggested as a risk factor for psychological, visual, and musculoskeletal dysfunctions. The musculoskeletal dysfunction may be related to direct contact use with smartphones as in thumb, elbow, and neck pain. Moreover, indirect long use of smartphones may affect thoracic, lumbar, and lower limbs.

COVID-19 pandemic occurred in a time of outstanding scientific progress and global digitalization. Therefore, smartphone usage became a must for human connection, learning, and entertainment, providing psychological and social support. In the meantime, it was observed a significant increase in overuse and addiction, especially in young and teenage females. The addiction is associated with more musculoskeletal abnormalities when compared to non-addict users. Several studies found an association between smartphone usage and back pain, concomitant with a reduction in thoracic extensors activity. This back pain may affect their quality of life and work-related productivity. However, the relationship between back dysfunction and smartphone addiction is still unclear. A few attempts were done to elucidate this relationship. Yet if proven correct, then preventive measures such as recommendations and precautions regarding smartphone use could be distributed to users by the manufacturers. Furthermore, engineering solutions are needed to optimally design smartphones to alter their weight and sizes to minimize potential adverse effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ranged from 18 years to 30 years.
2. BMI between 19.0-29.9 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

1- Previous history of spinal trauma or dysfunction. 2 - Any systemic disease that may affect spine such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

3 - Cognitive or memory impairment in memory or cognitive function.