Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder in smartphone users: Cross sectional study

Abstract

The smartphone supersedes the capability of the cellular phone, as it offers the user internet access, in addition to various applications for social, finical, entertainment, and healthcare needs. So, the aim of the study prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorder in people using smartphones ranging from the age group of 18 to 30 years. Objective: To find out musculoskeletal disorders occurring due to smartphone use. A total of 500 participates were screened according to the inclusion criteria all the participants were assessed for pain using the visual analogue scale in who use a smartphone. In the age group 18-30 years, 3 groups were made. The first group was between 18-21 years, the second group was 22-25 years, and the third group 26-30 years respectively. 18-21 years age group had 169 affected respondents. Area A represents the index, middle and lateral half of the ring finger. Area B represents the medial half of the ringer finger and little finger, Area C represents Thumb, Area D represents the central palmar aspect, Area E represents the Thenar eminence and Area F represents the Hypothenar region of the hand. The present study shows that the overall prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorder in smartphone users is 68%. Males are more affected than females. In this study neck and thumb were more affected regions compared to other parts of the body, secondary to the neck and thumb, the wrist is the affected region. Long-time use of smartphones leads to the repeated strain injury of the wrist and thumb, long time flexion of the neck during smartphone use leads to neck pain.