INFLUENCE OF SMARTPHONE ADDICTION ON GRIP AND PINCH STRENGTH IN COLLEGIATE POPULATION – AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: in the past decade there has been a rapid increase in the use of mobile devices, particularly smartphones for communication, gaming and internet browsing. The continued decrease in the price off these devices, suggest that the use of smartphones will also increase twofold. Meanwhile, with the smartphone ownership rates skyrocketing and with rapid development of telecom technologies, mobile phones are becoming much smarter both in size and function in recent years. Objective: the purpose of the study was to determine the influence of smartphone addiction on grip and pinch strength in collegiate population. Methodology: 100 collegiate students (both males and females) were randomly included in the study. Demographic data (name, age, gender) was noted. Smartphone addiction and hand function was assessed by smartphone addiction scale and duruoz hand index respectively. Grip and pinch strength was assessed using a dynamometer and pinch gauge respectively. Result: there was a significant correlation ship between low and high smart phone users with the duration and time (0.0001). There was significance with addiction and pain on activity. Also a positive correlation was seen between right and left chuck pinch (0.0163) and (0.0288) respectively, tip pinch of the left (0.0398). There was significant correlation between sas scores and right and left grip strength (0.003) and (0.0032) Conclusion: smartphone addiction is related to grip and pinch strength where high smartphone users shower higher grip strength.. Grip and pinch strength was also influenced by duration and time of smartphone usage. Also tip and chuck pinch grip showed to be significant.