ArticleCureus2024
Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Use on Neck Pain and Related Symptoms Among Residents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- The effect of smartphone texting on cervical spine sagittal alignment in healthy young adults.Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) · 2025Article
- Prevalence of Text Neck Between Different Female Students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia; Cross Section Design.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Physiotherapy in Text Neck Syndrome: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Assessment of the Burden of Chronic Neck and/or Shoulder Pain on Quality of Life Among Saudi Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of pain research · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe widespread adoption of smartphones has transformed global communication but raised health concerns like Text Neck Syndrome - a musculoskeletal condition arising from prolonged device use, causing discomfort in the cervical spine. This study investigates its prevalence and associated factors among smartphone users in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focusing on usage patterns, symptoms, and awareness.
methodsThis cross-sectional online survey was conducted from June 1 to June 30, 2024. Data on demographics, smartphone habits, symptoms, and Text Neck Syndrome awareness were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.
resultsThe study included 421 participants, predominantly female (279, 66.3%) and Saudi nationals (397, 94.3%). The largest age group was 21-40 years (308, 73.2%), and most were single (251, 59.6%) with a college degree (236, 56.1%). Over 42.0% of participants used smartphones for more than five hours daily, with 39.4% adopting a 30-degree neck posture. The most prevalent symptoms reported were neck pain (272, 64.6%), headaches (203, 48.2%), and shoulder pain (178, 42.3%). Awareness of Text Neck Syndrome was reported by 197 participants (46.8%), but only 60 (14.3%) had been diagnosed. Concerns about long-term complications such as osteoporosis (105, 24.9%) and prolapsed intervertebral disc (120, 28.5%) were expressed. Despite these concerns, 97.9% of participants hesitated to reduce smartphone usage due to reported symptoms.
conclusionThis study highlights the significant musculoskeletal impact of smartphone use in Jeddah, underscoring the need for interventions promoting ergonomic practices and increasing awareness about associated risks. Public health strategies should focus on promoting ergonomic practices and educating users about preventive measures.
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Registered trials
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