Prevalence of Neck Pain and Upper Back Pain Among Constant Users of Smartphones, Laptops, or Tablets
Barbara Jane Auson
Abstract:
The number of smartphone users has been increasing over the past years and people are
commonly using tablets and/or laptops in their daily activities. Concomitantly, the risk for
developing musculoskeletal problems also increases. A cross-sectional study was done to
determine prevalence of neck and upper back pain among constant users of smartphones, laptops,
or tablets. A self-administered questionnaire which deals with duration and frequency of use of
the aforementioned gadgets and occurrence of neck and upper back pain while using those devices was
distributed out to prospective respondents. Results show that there is a high prevalence rate of
moderate neck and upper back pain amongst constant users of smartphones, laptops, or tablets.
Sixty-seven percent of the respondents suffered from neck pain while 57% also experienced upper
back pain while using the same gadgets. Results also show that females have a higher prevalence
of both neck and upper back pain compared to males. It is recommended that people must limit
the amount of time using these gadgets, use adaptive devices to prevent forward head posture when
using them, and to do exercises that can help improve their posture.
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