ORIGINAL PAPER
Comparison of posture, pain, disability and quality of life in young adults according to smartphone usage time
1
Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Submission date: 2025-03-29
Acceptance date: 2025-11-20
Online publication date: 2026-03-09
Corresponding author
Serpil Yuksel Kalkan
Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
Smartphone use has increased substantially and raised concerns about its potential effects on posture, musculoskeletal pain, and overall health. However, the relationship between smartphone usage and these outcomes remains unclear. The study investigates the association between daily smartphone usage time and postural alignment, musculoskeletal pain, disability, and quality of life in young adults, while considering confounding variables like exercise habits and psychological well-being.
Methods:
Our study design was cross-sectional. A total of 138 participants (94 female, 44 male) were included in the study. Participants were grouped based on daily smartphone use (≤ 4 hours and > 4 hours). Validated questionnaires used were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and SF-36 (36-Item Short Form Survey). Postural assessment was performed using a mobile application. Exercise type and duration were also recorded.
Results:
Participants with higher smartphone use reported significantly lower physical activity levels and exercise durations (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups regarding the pain, disability, depression, quality of life, or posture parameters (p > 0.05). Secondary analysis revealed that resistance exercise was associated with a higher body mass index, longer weekly exercise duration, and reduced pain levels.
Conclusions:
Smartphone usage alone was not significantly associated with posture or musculoskeletal pain among young adults. Instead, these outcomes are influenced by a multifactorial interplay involving physical activity and lifestyle habits. Future longitudinal studies using objective tools and sensitive postural assessments are needed to better understand the links between technology use, exercise, and health.
Smartphone use has increased substantially and raised concerns about its potential effects on posture, musculoskeletal pain, and overall health. However, the relationship between smartphone usage and these outcomes remains unclear. The study investigates the association between daily smartphone usage time and postural alignment, musculoskeletal pain, disability, and quality of life in young adults, while considering confounding variables like exercise habits and psychological well-being.
Methods:
Our study design was cross-sectional. A total of 138 participants (94 female, 44 male) were included in the study. Participants were grouped based on daily smartphone use (≤ 4 hours and > 4 hours). Validated questionnaires used were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and SF-36 (36-Item Short Form Survey). Postural assessment was performed using a mobile application. Exercise type and duration were also recorded.
Results:
Participants with higher smartphone use reported significantly lower physical activity levels and exercise durations (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups regarding the pain, disability, depression, quality of life, or posture parameters (p > 0.05). Secondary analysis revealed that resistance exercise was associated with a higher body mass index, longer weekly exercise duration, and reduced pain levels.
Conclusions:
Smartphone usage alone was not significantly associated with posture or musculoskeletal pain among young adults. Instead, these outcomes are influenced by a multifactorial interplay involving physical activity and lifestyle habits. Future longitudinal studies using objective tools and sensitive postural assessments are needed to better understand the links between technology use, exercise, and health.
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