Prevalence of text neck syndrome, its impact on neck dysfunction, and its associated factors among medical students: A cross-sectional study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Salameh, Muna A.^{a; *} | Boyajian, Silvia D.^a | Amaireh, Enas A.^b | Jamal, Baraah^a | Alrfooh, Hala^c | AbuKhalaf, Khalid^a | Alzu’bi, Omar M.^a | Al-Tanbouz, Hadeel D.^a | Alzyoud, Koloud^d

Affiliations: [a] Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan | [b] Al-Hussain Al-Salt Hospital, Al-Salt, Jordan | [c] Jordanian Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan | [d] Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Muna A. Salameh, Faculty of Medicine, Al Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, 19117, Jordan. Mobile: +962799761394; Fax: +96253532312; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Students increasingly rely on digital devices, leading to text neck syndrome, a common overuse syndrome caused by repetitive forward neck flexion. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of text neck syndrome among medical students and the resulting neck dysfunction and to investigate the possible associated factors. METHODS:This cross-sectional study used an online self-developed questionnaire among medical students. Students’ characteristics and data about smartphone usage were evaluated for diagnosis. Individuals with at least 3 of the 6 text neck syndrome symptoms and a history of more than four hours a day spent on a smartphone were diagnosed with text neck syndrome. Neck dysfunction was measured using the neck disability index. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS:The study found that 31.7% of students with text neck syndrome have mild neck disabilities, with a higher proportion of females (40%). The characteristics that have a significant relation to text neck syndrome include being female (p < 0.0001), overweight (p = 0.025), being right-handed (p = 0.001), using four digital devices or more (p = 0.002), having low levels of physical activity (P = 0.018), and spending more than three hours a day sitting down (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION:More than a quarter of medical students had text neck syndrome, and most of them had a mild neck disability. Text Neck Syndrome was linked to an increased number of gadgets used, low exercise, and more time spent in a sitting position.

Keywords: Exercise, medical students, neck, overuse syndrome, sitting position, smartphone

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230678

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1111-1119, 2024