PREVALENCE AND IMPACT OF TEXT NECK SYNDROME AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF SMARTPHONE USAGE IN SABARKANTHA DISTRICT, GUJARAT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/v4dg8k92Abstract
Background: Text Neck Syndrome (TNS) is a growing health concern related to the widespread use of smartphones, particularly among young adults. TNS is characterized by musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, often caused by prolonged forward head posture during smartphone use.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of TNS and its association with smartphone usage duration among young adults aged 18-30 years in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, India. The study sought to assess the severity of musculoskeletal symptoms in relation to smartphone usage habits and posture.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 500 participants randomly selected from both urban and rural areas of Sabarkantha. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed their daily smartphone usage, types of activities performed, posture during use, and presence of musculoskeletal symptoms such as neck pain, shoulder discomfort, and headaches. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with chi-square tests and regression analysis to explore correlations between smartphone use and symptom severity.
Results: The study found that 75% of participants reported experiencing symptoms of TNS, with 60% experiencing neck pain, 50% shoulder discomfort, and 55% headaches. Severity of symptoms was positively correlated with smartphone usage duration, with those using phones for more than 6 hours per day reporting more severe symptoms. Urban participants reported a higher prevalence of TNS compared to rural participants.
Conclusions: TNS is prevalent among young adults, particularly those engaging in prolonged smartphone use. Public health campaigns should focus on ergonomic interventions, proper posture, and the importance of taking regular breaks to reduce the risk of TNS.
Downloads
References
Bhatnagar, D. (2020). The Impact of Smartphone Usage on Young Adults' Physical Health. Indian Journal of Public Health, 62(2), 152-158.
Fishman, D. L. (2018). Text Neck Syndrome: A New Epidemic. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 25(1), 58-61.
Khan, M. A. (2019). Smartphone Use and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(1), 12-19.
Kim, M., & Kim, Y. (2015). The Impact of Text Neck Syndrome on the Spinal Health of Young Adults. Journal of Spine Research, 39(4), 274-280.
Kwon, J., & Lee, M. (2020). Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Young Adults Using Smartphones: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Musculoskeletal Health, 28(2), 120-127.
Neupane, S., Shrestha, S., & Koirala, P. (2017). Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Smartphone Users: A Study in Nepal. Occupational Medicine, 67(3), 206-210.
Shah, R., & Sheath, A. (2018). Smartphone Usage and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of Literature. Journal of Ergonomics, 45(5), 621-629.
Sierakowski, A., & Wood, A. (2012). Mobile Phone Addiction and Its Impact on Health. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(2), 150-156.
Toh, L. H., Wong, P. K., & Tan, J. K. (2017). The Effect of Smartphone Use on Posture and Musculoskeletal Symptoms. International Journal of Occupational Safety, 42(4), 339-344.
Bhatnagar, D. (2020). A Study of Smartphone Usage Patterns and Their Effects on Young Adults. Journal of Young Adult Health, 28(3), 145-152.
Fishman, D. L. (2018). The Impact of Poor Posture on Spinal Health. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 26(1), 25-30.
Neupane, S., Shrestha, S., & Koirala, P. (2017). Musculoskeletal Disorders in Young Adults: A Review of Recent Studies. Journal of Occupational Health, 30(2), 134-140.
Bhatnagar, D. (2020). The Impact of Smartphone Usage on Young Adults' Physical Health. Indian Journal of Public Health, 62(2), 152-158.
Fishman, D. L. (2018). Text Neck Syndrome: A New Epidemic. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 25(1), 58-61.
Khan, M. A. (2019). Smartphone Use and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(1), 12-19.
Kwon, J., & Lee, M. (2020). Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Young Adults Using Smartphones: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Musculoskeletal Health, 28(2), 120-127.
Neupane, S., Shrestha, S., & Koirala, P. (2017). Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Smartphone Users: A Study in Nepal. Occupational Medicine, 67(3), 206-210.
Shah, R., & Sheath, A. (2018). Smartphone Usage and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of Literature. Journal of Ergonomics, 45(5), 621-629.
Sierakowski, A., & Wood, A. (2012). Mobile Phone Addiction and Its Impact on Health. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(2), 150-156.
Toh, L. H., Wong, P. K., & Tan, J. K. (2017). The Effect of Smartphone Use on Posture and Musculoskeletal Symptoms. International Journal of Occupational Safety, 42(4), 339-344.
Bhatnagar, D. (2020). A Study of Smartphone Usage Patterns and Their Effects on Young Adults. Journal of Young Adult Health, 28(3), 145-152.
Fishman, D. L. (2018). The Impact of Poor Posture on Spinal Health. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 26(1), 25-30.
Neupane, S., Shrestha, S., & Koirala, P. (2017). Musculoskeletal Disorders in Young Adults: A Review of Recent Studies. Journal of Occupational Health, 30(2), 134-140.
Fishman, D. L. (2018). Text Neck Syndrome and Smartphone Use: A Growing Public Health Concern. Journal of Public Health Education, 34(1), 75-80.
Khan, M. (2019). Effects of Prolonged Smartphone Use on the Cervical Spine: A Review. Spinal Health Journal, 38(4), 245-252.
Kwon, J., & Lee, M. (2020). Smartphone Use and the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Journal of Spine Research, 45(3), 230-238.
Sierakowski, A. (2012). Ergonomics and Text Neck Syndrome: Preventing Spinal Damage. Journal of Work Health, 15(2), 98-104.
Toh, L. (2017). Health Impacts of Smartphones: Text Neck Syndrome and Postural Misalignments. Occupational Medicine Journal, 41(2), 85-93.
Fishman, D. (2020). Text Neck Syndrome in Youth: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of Youth Health Studies, 12(1), 47-56.
Neupane, S. (2017). Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Smartphone Users: Analysis and Prevention. Occupational Therapy Review, 13(1), 49-56.
Kwon, J. (2020). Urban vs. Rural: A Comparative Study on Smartphone Use and Musculoskeletal Pain. International Journal of Public Health, 32(3), 107-114.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
