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Neck pain associated with smartphone overuse: cross-sectional report of a cohort study among office workers

European Spine Journal volume 30, pages 461–467 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the current study was to investigate the extent of smartphone use, possible correlation with neck pain and/or psychological impairment in office workers.

Method

A convenience sample of 1,602 office workers who were using smartphone for prolonged periods (≥ 4 years) participated in a cross-sectional report of a cohort study, assessing demographic, abnormal symptoms of pain in the neck, physical activity, and psychological behavior characteristics. Participants were assessed using a short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-42) questionnaire, as well as International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Multiple logistic regression model was conducted to evaluate the adjusted effect of smartphone overuse on nuchal symptoms.

Results

The prevalence of neck pain among the office workers was 30.1%. Significantly more female (33.3% vs. 24.5%) and younger (42.2 vs. 43.2 years) employees reported to have neck pain. Overall in 326 (20.3%, 95% CI: 18.4%–22.4%) of studied subjects had, SAS score ≥ 31 and ≥ 33 for male and females, respectively, and so smartphone overuse (SO) was diagnosed. The results of multiple logistic regression model revealed that those with SO were approximately 6 times more likely to have neck pain (95% CI: 4.44–8.09, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Smartphone overuse in office workers significantly increases the chance of neck pain by 6 times. Hence SO has been associated with, not only somatic complaints, but also psychological distress such as anxiety, stress, and depression. This may necessitate adherence to neck-school, when smartphone use is associated with neck pain.

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Acknowledgements

This study has been supported by support of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) Office workers’ Cohort TEC study; (Grant no: 36600)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Keshavarz Boulevard, 1449614535, Tehran, Iran

    Nazi Derakhshanrad & Hooshang Saberi

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mir Saeed Yekaninejad

  3. Center for Research On Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Ramin Mehrdad

Authors
  1. Nazi Derakhshanrad
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  2. Mir Saeed Yekaninejad
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  3. Ramin Mehrdad
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  4. Hooshang Saberi
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Contributions

HS was involved in study concept and design; MSY and ND were involved in analysis and interpretation of data; HS and ND were involved in drafting of the manuscript; HS, MSY, and RM were involved in critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content; MSY was involved in statistical analysis; RM was involved in administrative, technical, and material support; HS was involved in study supervision

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Correspondence to Hooshang Saberi.

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The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper.

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Derakhshanrad, N., Yekaninejad, M.S., Mehrdad, R. et al. Neck pain associated with smartphone overuse: cross-sectional report of a cohort study among office workers. Eur Spine J 30, 461–467 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06640-z

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