Impact of smartphone usage on efficacy of physiotherapy exercises and intervention measures for mechanical neck pain: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Excessive smartphone usage and the resulting postural choices have led to a rise in musculo-skeletal disorders, especially in the  neck region. The purpose of the present research was to understand the success of the intervention on the cervical range and pain among smartphone users with mechanical neck pain and to elucidate the effect of hours of smartphone usage as an interacting variable in the effectiveness of the treatment provided. In this quasi-experimental study, 45 male participants, aged 18 to 29 years, with mechanical neck pain and who used smartphones were divided into three equal groups that underwent physiotherapy  intervention programmes that included manipulation, passive stretching, and interferential therapy. The outcome measures were pain, cervical range of motion, pain pressure threshold, and handgrip strength. The pain scores for the passive stretching group improved more, with a mean value of 3.6 points for the immediate treatment result and 1.4 points after ten treatment sessions compared with the mean values of the manipulation group (3.3 and 2.0 points, respectively). Users of their phones for three or more
hours daily had a significant decrease in cervical range of motion compared to the immediate change seen after the intervention.

Keywords: Functional health; Musculo-skeletal disorders; Neck pain Physical therapy; Smartphone.