Relationship between screen exposure, sedentary behavior and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: to determine the relationship between screen exposure, sedentary behavior, and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. Methodology: a systematic review of articles in the databases Web of Science, dimensions, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Clinical Key, and Lens was carried out between August 2022 - January 2023, identifying 150 records and through a selection process, 12 were included. The articles had to have been published between 2017 and January 2023 in Spanish, English, or Portuguese, and relate sedentary behavior and screen exposure time with the presence of painful musculoskeletal symptomatology in adolescents. The studies were screened using Ryyan software with two independent evaluators. Results: 12 articles met the inclusion criteria (1 crossover trial, 11 analytical cross-sectional studies). All the included studies reported a high prevalence of pain among adolescents in one or more parts of the body; an association was also found between exposure to screens and sedentary behavior. Conclusion: This systematic review shows evidence of the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in adolescents, with onset at early ages, a situation that is associated with screen dependence and exposure, as well as low levels of physical activity and high rates of sedentary behavior.