Examining the impact of the exercise package on eye and neck strain (EPENS) among adolescents: A pre-experimental study at a selected preuniversity college in Mangalore.

backgroundElectronic devices like laptops, desktops, and cell phones are now essential in modern life, especially for students, due to their convenience and time-saving benefits. However, concerns about social issues related to prolonged use, particularly among kids and teenagers, have arisen. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise package in mitigating symptoms of eye and neck strain among adolescents who are regular users of electronic devices. MATERIALS AND

methodsEmploying a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest research design, 98 participants were selected from a pool of 440 through purposive sampling. Data collection included sociodemographic variables and checklists for eye and neck strain symptoms. The Exercise Package for Eye and Neck Strain (EPENS) was demonstrated by the researcher, and participants practiced under supervision for four weeks. A pos-test, utilizing the same checklist, was conducted, and data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. The McNemar Chi-square test was employed for comparison, with a significance level set at

resultThe majority of participants were females (53.9%), aged 17 years (98.0%), and reported using electronic devices for 1-2 h regularly (74.6%). Prevalent symptoms included burning, itching, headache, watery eyes, redness, and pain at the back of the eyes, with statistical significance (

conclusionsIn conclusion, this study establishes that the EPENS exercise package is a valuable intervention for alleviating symptoms associated with eye and neck strain among adolescents. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating such exercises to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged gadget use in this demographic.