Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 11

The effects of smartphone use on the mechanical properties of the upper trapezius muscle and craniovertebral angle

1Department of Healthcare and Pubic Health Research, National Rehabilitation Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center, 58, Samgaksan-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

2Research Institute for convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea

3Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, 65, Semyeong-ro, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea

*Corresponding Author: Jin-Hwa Jung, Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, E-mail: otsalt@nate.com

Online published on 7 December, 2018.

Abstract

This study's purpose is twofold: to investigate the influence of smartphone use on the mechanical properties ofupper trapezius muscle (UTM), forward head posture(FHP) and to examine the correlation between time spent using a smartphone, neck pain, and FHP.

Thirty adults who average more than one hour of smartphone use per day participated in this study. We measured all participants’ degree of the mechanical properties of UT and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) in normal conditions and during smartphone use. The order of experiments for both conditions was counterbalanced. We used Myoton to measure the mechanical properties (tone, elasticity, and stiffness) of UT, and we analyzed the CVA using a digital camera and Image J. Paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for the statistical analysis.

The smartphone use condition was significantly lower in CVA than normal condition (p<.05). The smartphone use condition was significantly higher in both tone and stiffness for UT than when in normal condition, and the elasticity was lower (p<.05). The average smartphone use time per day was positively correlated with neck pain (p <.05), and neck pain was negatively correlated with CVA during smartphone use (p<.05). This study's findings suggest that smartphone use might increase the tone of UT and FHP.

This study's findings suggest that smartphone use might increase the tone of UT and FHP.

Keywords

Smartphone, Mechanical property, Trapezius muscle, Forward head posture, Craniovertebral angle