Investigating the Effects of Smartphone Use on the Masseter Muscle

Investigating the Short and Long-term Effects of Smartphone Use on the Masseter Muscle

The aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term effects of smartphone use on the masseter muscle. In the short term, to investigate whether repetitive thumb movements during phone use will cause a spontaneous muscle activation and/or tenderness in the masseter muscle; in the long term, to investigate the relationship between strength change and tenderness of the tenar and masseter muscles depending on the intensity and duration of phone use.

A total of 120 healthy university students aged 18-30 years at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University will be included in our study. Descriptive data form, Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form, Edinburg Hand Preference Inventory, pressure pain threshold, muscle activity, lateral grip strength, hand grip strength will be evaluated in the participant students.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Smartphone users students between the ages of 18-30 years
• Students whose voluntary informed consent was obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals undergoing masseter botox application
• Individuals diagnosed with TMJ disorder and/or bruxism
• Individuals with musculoskeletal problems with evidence of a systemic, specific pathologic condition such as fracture of the hand, finger, upper extremity and/or TMJ, rheumatoid disease
• Individuals who have undergone any surgical operation related to hand, finger, upper extremity and/or TMJ problem
• Individuals with less than 6 months of physiotherapy and rehabilitation services related to hand, finger, upper extremity and/or TMJ
• Individuals with facial paralysis
• Individuals with diagnosed psychiatric illness.