Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42784595›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Clinically significant neck pain and tablet tilt angles in real-world educational settings: A nationwide cross-sectional study of university students.

Saikaew Chuachan, Jetsadakorn Thawornrattanachot, Jakrapan Sen, Nathaworn Chanpen, Narumon Roynarin, Nimit Kosura

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Saikaew ChuachanDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1533-3399
Jetsadakorn ThawornrattanachotDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
Jakrapan SenDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
Nathaworn ChanpenDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
Narumon RoynarinDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4599-4390
Nimit KosuraDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7660-8555

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTablet use has been steadily increasing, particularly among students. However, the long-term effects of tablet tilt on neck pain remain underexplored. PURPOSE: This study examined tablet tilt angles and factors associated with neck pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale; NRS ≥ 4) among university students.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students using a self-administered questionnaire.

resultsA total of 328 responses were collected from 17 universities, with 95% being complete. Participants were predominantly female, aged 21 (20,22) years old. The prevalence of tablet-related neck pain (NRS ≥ 4) was 42.17%. Fourth-year students had lower risk (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14-0.66), whereas 10° and 60° tablet tilt angles increased the risk (aOR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.83-8.46; aOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.15-7.51) with moderate predictive ability (AUC = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.63-0.75).

conclusionsTablet tilt angles of 10° and 60° were associated with increased neck pain. Proper tablet positioning and posture are essential to reduce musculoskeletal strain.

Indexed as

Computers, HandheldNeck PainStudentsCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePostureSurveys and QuestionnairesUniversitiesYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID42784595
PMCPMC13606933

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.