Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time

COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in social mobility and travel restrictions to contain the infection. It has been reported that there happened post-pandemic surge in the use of the internet and social media as people rely on it more often for entertainment, work, and learning purposes. It is also been use...

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Main Authors: Binoy Mathew K V, Maryelizabeth Tidiya Walarine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Journal of Ideas in Health 2020-09-01
Series:Journal of Ideas in Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jidhealth.com/index.php/jidhealth/article/view/65
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author Binoy Mathew K V
Maryelizabeth Tidiya Walarine
author_facet Binoy Mathew K V
Maryelizabeth Tidiya Walarine
author_sort Binoy Mathew K V
collection DOAJ
description COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in social mobility and travel restrictions to contain the infection. It has been reported that there happened post-pandemic surge in the use of the internet and social media as people rely on it more often for entertainment, work, and learning purposes. It is also been used as an unhealthy coping strategy for pandemic related stress. The smartphone was found to be the most common gadget used for accessing internet-based services. Owing to the postural alterations related to the small screen size of smartphones, neck pain was reported very commonly among smartphone users. Neck pain among smartphone users is a public health concern needing immediate attention in the pandemic time. Many of the risk factors leading to neck pain among smartphone users are modifiable. The authors outline preventive strategies that are mostly self- regulated. The strategies recommended include reducing Smartphone usage time (Smartphone-Free Time, Smartphone-Free Zone), maintaining ideal posture (Focus Breaks, Mobility Breaks, How am I keeping my posture?, Hands-free alternatives), doing regular exercises, preparing and following an activity schedule, and inculcating healthy habits.   References • Sohrabi C, Alsafi Z, O’Neill N, Khan M, Kerwan A, Al-Jabir A, et al. World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Int J Surg 2020; 76: 71–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.034 • Király O, Potenza MN, Stein DJ, King DL, Hodgins DC, Saunders JB, et al. Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 100:152180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152180 • Sun Y, Li Y, Bao Y, Meng S, Sun Y, Schumann G, et al. Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in China. Am J Addict 2020 ;29(4):268–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13066   • Varga E. How does the Internet Influences the Readers’ Behavior. Procedia Manuf. 2020; 46:949–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.05.013 • Zhuang L, Wang L, Xu D, Wang Z, Liang R. Association between excessive smartphone use and cervical disc degeneration in young patients suffering from chronic neck pain. J Orthop Sci. 2020; https://doi.org/1016/j.jos.2020.02.009 • Davey S, Davey A. Assessment of smartphone addiction in indian adolescents: a mixed method study by systematic-review and meta-analysis approach. Int J Prev Med.2014;5(12):1500–11. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25709785 • Smetaniuk P. A preliminary investigation into the prevalence and prediction of problematic cell phone use. J Behav Addict 2014 Mar;3(1):41–53. https://doi.org/1556/JBA.3.2014.004 • Lee H, Seo MJ, Choi TY. The Effect of Home-based Daily Journal Writing in Korean Adolescents with Smartphone Addiction. J Korean Med Sci. 2016;31(5):764. https://doi.org/3346/jkms.2016.31.5.764 • Yu S, Sussman S. Does Smartphone Addiction Fall on a Continuum of Addictive Behaviors? Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(2):422. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020422.10. • Kwon M, Kim D-J, Cho H, Yang S. The smartphone addiction scale: development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLoS One2013;8(12): e83558. https://doi.org/1371/journal.pone.0083558 • Ding D, Li J. Smartphone Overuse – A Growing Public Health Issue. J Psychol Psychother.2017;07(289):1-3. https://doi.org/0.4172/2161-0487.1000289 • Boumosleh JM, Jaalouk D. Depression, anxiety, and smartphone addiction in university students- A cross sectional study. PLoS One 2017;12(8): e0182239. https://doi.org/1371/journal.pone.0182239 • Xie Y, Szeto G, Dai J. Prevalence and risk factors associated with musculoskeletal complaints among users of mobile handheld devices: A systematic review. Appl Ergon.2017 Mar;59:132–42. https://doi.org/1016/j.apergo.2016.08.020 • Alsalameh AM, Harisi MJ, Alduayji MA, Almutham AA, Mahmood FM. Evaluating the relationship between smartphone addiction/overuse and musculoskeletal pain among medical students at Qassim University. J Fam Med Prim care. 2019;8(9):2953–9. https://doi.org/4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_665_19 • Toh SH, Coenen P, Howie EK, Smith AJ, Mukherjee S, Mackey DA, et al. A prospective longitudinal study of mobile touch screen device use and musculoskeletal symptoms and visual health in adolescents. Appl Ergon. 2020; 85:103028. https://doi.org/1016/j.apergo.2019.103028 • Lee S, Kang H, Shin G. Head flexion angle while using a smartphone. Ergonomics. 2015 Feb 17;58(2):220–6. https://doi.org/1080/00140139.2014.967311 • Guan X, Fan G, Chen Z, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Hu A, et al. Gender difference in mobile phone use and the impact of digital device exposure on neck posture. Ergonomics. 2016;59(11):1453–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2016.1147614 • Han H, Shin G. Head flexion angle when web-browsing and texting using a smartphone while walking. Appl Ergon. 2019; 81:102884. https://doi.org/1016/j.apergo.2019.102884 • Singla D, Veqar Z. Association between forward head, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis: a review of the literature. J Chiropr Med. 2017;16(3):220–9. https://doi.org/1016/j.jcm.2017.03.004 • Park J-H, Kang S-Y, Lee S-G, Jeon H-S. The effects of smart phone gaming duration on muscle activation and spinal posture: Pilot study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2017;33(8):661–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2017.1328716 • Xie Y, Szeto GPY, Dai J, Madeleine P. A comparison of muscle activity in using touchscreen smartphone among young people with and without chronic neck–shoulder pain. Ergonomics. 2016;59(1):61–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1056237 • Hansraj KK. Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head. Surg Technol Int. 2014; 25:277–9. • Li W, Yang Y, Liu Z-H, Zhao Y-J, Zhang Q, Zhang L, et al. Progression of mental health services during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16(10):1732–8. https://doi.org/7150/ijbs.45120 • Namwongsa S, Puntumetakul R, Neubert MS, Boucaut R. Factors associated with neck disorders among university student smartphone users. Work. 2018;61(3):367–78. https://doi.org/3233/WOR-182819 • Ko P-H, Hwang Y-H, Liang H-W. Influence of smartphone use styles on typing performance and biomechanical exposure. Ergonomics. 2016;59(6):821–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1088075
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spelling doaj.art-5308ca1da0dd436bb4c34c9d395da6062023-02-15T16:19:19ZengJournal of Ideas in HealthJournal of Ideas in Health2645-92482020-09-013Special110.47108/jidhealth.Vol3.IssSpecial1.65Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic timeBinoy Mathew K V0Maryelizabeth Tidiya Walarine1Department of Physiotherapy, Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities-Kozhikode, IndiaDepartment of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MIMS College of Nursing, Malappuram, IndiaCOVID-19 Pandemic resulted in social mobility and travel restrictions to contain the infection. It has been reported that there happened post-pandemic surge in the use of the internet and social media as people rely on it more often for entertainment, work, and learning purposes. It is also been used as an unhealthy coping strategy for pandemic related stress. The smartphone was found to be the most common gadget used for accessing internet-based services. Owing to the postural alterations related to the small screen size of smartphones, neck pain was reported very commonly among smartphone users. Neck pain among smartphone users is a public health concern needing immediate attention in the pandemic time. Many of the risk factors leading to neck pain among smartphone users are modifiable. The authors outline preventive strategies that are mostly self- regulated. The strategies recommended include reducing Smartphone usage time (Smartphone-Free Time, Smartphone-Free Zone), maintaining ideal posture (Focus Breaks, Mobility Breaks, How am I keeping my posture?, Hands-free alternatives), doing regular exercises, preparing and following an activity schedule, and inculcating healthy habits.   References • Sohrabi C, Alsafi Z, O’Neill N, Khan M, Kerwan A, Al-Jabir A, et al. World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Int J Surg 2020; 76: 71–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.034 • Király O, Potenza MN, Stein DJ, King DL, Hodgins DC, Saunders JB, et al. Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 100:152180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152180 • Sun Y, Li Y, Bao Y, Meng S, Sun Y, Schumann G, et al. Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in China. Am J Addict 2020 ;29(4):268–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13066   • Varga E. How does the Internet Influences the Readers’ Behavior. Procedia Manuf. 2020; 46:949–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.05.013 • Zhuang L, Wang L, Xu D, Wang Z, Liang R. Association between excessive smartphone use and cervical disc degeneration in young patients suffering from chronic neck pain. J Orthop Sci. 2020; https://doi.org/1016/j.jos.2020.02.009 • Davey S, Davey A. Assessment of smartphone addiction in indian adolescents: a mixed method study by systematic-review and meta-analysis approach. Int J Prev Med.2014;5(12):1500–11. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25709785 • Smetaniuk P. A preliminary investigation into the prevalence and prediction of problematic cell phone use. J Behav Addict 2014 Mar;3(1):41–53. https://doi.org/1556/JBA.3.2014.004 • Lee H, Seo MJ, Choi TY. The Effect of Home-based Daily Journal Writing in Korean Adolescents with Smartphone Addiction. J Korean Med Sci. 2016;31(5):764. https://doi.org/3346/jkms.2016.31.5.764 • Yu S, Sussman S. Does Smartphone Addiction Fall on a Continuum of Addictive Behaviors? Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(2):422. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020422.10. • Kwon M, Kim D-J, Cho H, Yang S. The smartphone addiction scale: development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLoS One2013;8(12): e83558. https://doi.org/1371/journal.pone.0083558 • Ding D, Li J. Smartphone Overuse – A Growing Public Health Issue. J Psychol Psychother.2017;07(289):1-3. https://doi.org/0.4172/2161-0487.1000289 • Boumosleh JM, Jaalouk D. Depression, anxiety, and smartphone addiction in university students- A cross sectional study. PLoS One 2017;12(8): e0182239. https://doi.org/1371/journal.pone.0182239 • Xie Y, Szeto G, Dai J. Prevalence and risk factors associated with musculoskeletal complaints among users of mobile handheld devices: A systematic review. Appl Ergon.2017 Mar;59:132–42. https://doi.org/1016/j.apergo.2016.08.020 • Alsalameh AM, Harisi MJ, Alduayji MA, Almutham AA, Mahmood FM. Evaluating the relationship between smartphone addiction/overuse and musculoskeletal pain among medical students at Qassim University. J Fam Med Prim care. 2019;8(9):2953–9. https://doi.org/4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_665_19 • Toh SH, Coenen P, Howie EK, Smith AJ, Mukherjee S, Mackey DA, et al. A prospective longitudinal study of mobile touch screen device use and musculoskeletal symptoms and visual health in adolescents. Appl Ergon. 2020; 85:103028. https://doi.org/1016/j.apergo.2019.103028 • Lee S, Kang H, Shin G. Head flexion angle while using a smartphone. Ergonomics. 2015 Feb 17;58(2):220–6. https://doi.org/1080/00140139.2014.967311 • Guan X, Fan G, Chen Z, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Hu A, et al. Gender difference in mobile phone use and the impact of digital device exposure on neck posture. Ergonomics. 2016;59(11):1453–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2016.1147614 • Han H, Shin G. Head flexion angle when web-browsing and texting using a smartphone while walking. Appl Ergon. 2019; 81:102884. https://doi.org/1016/j.apergo.2019.102884 • Singla D, Veqar Z. Association between forward head, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis: a review of the literature. J Chiropr Med. 2017;16(3):220–9. https://doi.org/1016/j.jcm.2017.03.004 • Park J-H, Kang S-Y, Lee S-G, Jeon H-S. The effects of smart phone gaming duration on muscle activation and spinal posture: Pilot study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2017;33(8):661–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2017.1328716 • Xie Y, Szeto GPY, Dai J, Madeleine P. A comparison of muscle activity in using touchscreen smartphone among young people with and without chronic neck–shoulder pain. Ergonomics. 2016;59(1):61–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1056237 • Hansraj KK. Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head. Surg Technol Int. 2014; 25:277–9. • Li W, Yang Y, Liu Z-H, Zhao Y-J, Zhang Q, Zhang L, et al. Progression of mental health services during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16(10):1732–8. https://doi.org/7150/ijbs.45120 • Namwongsa S, Puntumetakul R, Neubert MS, Boucaut R. Factors associated with neck disorders among university student smartphone users. Work. 2018;61(3):367–78. https://doi.org/3233/WOR-182819 • Ko P-H, Hwang Y-H, Liang H-W. Influence of smartphone use styles on typing performance and biomechanical exposure. Ergonomics. 2016;59(6):821–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1088075http://www.jidhealth.com/index.php/jidhealth/article/view/65Neck Pain, Smartphone, Overuse, COVID-19, Pandemics, Public Health, Primary Prevention
spellingShingle Binoy Mathew K V
Maryelizabeth Tidiya Walarine
Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
Journal of Ideas in Health
Neck Pain, Smartphone, Overuse, COVID-19, Pandemics, Public Health, Primary Prevention
title Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
title_full Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
title_fullStr Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
title_full_unstemmed Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
title_short Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
title_sort neck pain among smartphone users an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time
topic Neck Pain, Smartphone, Overuse, COVID-19, Pandemics, Public Health, Primary Prevention
url http://www.jidhealth.com/index.php/jidhealth/article/view/65
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