EC Orthopaedics

The use of digital devices, especially smartphones and laptops/desktops is on the rise. Prolonged use of smartphones is prevalent among young adults including university students who spend a large amount of time on mobile devices for social, leisure, or school activities. Studies have shown that compared to neutral standing, neck flexion angle, head tilt angle and forward head shifting may increase during the smartphone use. The maintenance of this position leads to changes that constitute the forward head posture (FHP). Due to covid-19, work from home and online classes became the new norm. This study was conducted to study correlation between smartphone usage and FHP. This cross-sectional study was carried out with convenient sampling consisting of young adults between 20 to 22 years of age. Their average daily screen time was asked. A lateral view photograph was taken after marking the C7 vertebra and tragus of the ear. The photograph was transferred to calculate the craniovertebral angle (CVA) using a software. CVA is the angle between the line connecting the tragus of ear to seventh cervical vertebra and the horizontal plane. In this study, CVA < 50 degrees will be considered forward head posture. Participants’ BMI was also recorded. The study results showed no correlation between smartphone usage time and FHP. There was a weak negative correlation between BMI and FHP. Though there was no correlation found 70.2% of sample showed to have FHP. FHP may lead to long term musculoskeletal disorders like neck pain, scapular dyskinesia or postural imbalance. The study findings highlighted the need to explore further the other factors leading to FHP among these young adults.

Keywords: Forward Head Posture; Smartphone Usage; Physiotherapy; Screentime; Cranio-Vertebral Angle; Photographic Assessment

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