PREVALANCE OF TEXTNECK SYNDROME AND SMS THUMB AMONG SMARTPHONE USERS IN UNDERGRADUATE HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Smartphones have become an integral part of modern life, particularly among young adults in health sciences. Prolonged smartphone use leads to poor posture and repetitive thumb movements, resulting in repetitive stress injuries involving the neck and upper extremities. The two commonly emerging musculoskeletal disorders associated with these behaviors are known as “Text Neck Syndrome” and “SMS Thumb.” Both conditions are linked to smartphone addiction, a behavioral pattern increasingly prevalent among students.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlation of Text Neck Syndrome and SMS Thumb among undergraduate health sciences students using smartphones.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 undergraduate students aged 17–25 years from seven medical universities in Karachi. Participants using smartphones for at least one hour daily were included. Data were collected using a structured proforma containing demographic details and three validated instruments: Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ). SPSS version 23.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between SAS-SV, NDI, and CHDQ. Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied to determine associations, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The mean ± SD scores were SAS-SV 34.97 ± 1.09, NDI 11.35 ± 0.80, and CHDQ 27.43 ± 2.94 (95% CI: 33.93–36.02, 10.55–12.15, 24.49–30.36, respectively). Neck pain was reported by 52.9% of participants and thumb pain by 59.6%. Pearson’s correlation revealed significant positive relationships between SAS-SV and NDI (r = 0.458; p = 0.000) and between SAS-SV and CHDQ (r = 0.240; p = 0.000). Chi-square analysis demonstrated a strong association between smartphone addiction and thumb pain (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate students, significantly associated with text neck and SMS thumb. These musculoskeletal disorders, though initially reversible, may lead to chronic disability if preventive ergonomic practices and postural awareness are not adopted.