Impact of Text Neck Syndrome on Posture and Prolonged Device Use among Postgraduate Students

G Aswini; K Manimozhi

G Aswini Department of physiotherapy, IAP NO-L-43927, Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of women studies, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, India.
K Manimozhi Professor, Department of Resource Management, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbator, India.

Keywords: Text Neck Syndrome, Neck Disability Index, Stress Injury, Smartphone, Neck Pain, Neck Disability

Abstract

Introduction: Text neck syndrome is characterised as an overuse syndrome or repetitive stress injury, involving the positioning of the head in a forward or downward manner while focusing on a mobile device or any other electronic gadget for extended durations. Consequently, this leads to the tightening of shoulder muscles, discomfort in neck muscles, and possibly even persistent headaches.
Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of text neck syndrome among the young adult population by utilising the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire.
Methodology: An analysis conducted cross-sectional study included 490 postgraduate students aged between 18 to 25 years from various academic departments at Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Demographic profiles were compiled from the participants, who were then tasked with completing the Neck Disability Index questionnaire. Subsequently, the collected data was scrutinised to explore the correlation between neck pain and neck posture during mobile phone usage.
Results: The results indicated that females demonstrated a higher vulnerability, primarily adopting a 30° neck flexed posture while using their smartphones for an average of 4 hours daily. Moreover, the age bracket most impacted was identified as 22 years.
Conclusion: 42% had mild disability and 18% had moderate disability, 5% had Severe disability. It was also found that increased hours of smartphone usage leads to increased neck disability, The study also found that increased neck flexion position while using their smartphones leads to increased neck disability.

How to cite this article:
G Aswini, K Manimozhi. Impact of Text Neck
Syndrome on Posture and Prolonged Device Use
among Postgraduate Students. Chettinad Health
City Med J. 2025;14(1):42-50.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202507

References

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