Severity of slouched posture during smartphone use is associated with the musculoskeletal discomfort, daily usage, and school year among adolescents

Abstract

Real-time measurement of the craniovertebral, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis angles during natural and smartphone usage postures in sitting were analysed in a cohort of 560 adolescents using independent t-tests and Spearman’s correlations between their reported musculoskeletal symptoms, daily device use and school year. Students with musculoskeletal symptoms (mean difference: 4.1–9.4°, p < .001) and in secondary schools (mean difference: 13.6–29.4°, p < .001) had a greater forward-head posture quantified by craniovertebral angle in both postures. Loss of lumbar lordosis was found in students spending ≥2 h/day on electronic devices (mean difference: 3.2°, p = .029) and those with musculoskeletal symptoms (mean difference: 5.4°, p = .001). Secondary school students exhibited a greater thoracic kyphosis when using smartphones (mean difference: 3.3°, p = .003). Findings suggest the urgent need for early and proactive intervention targeted to minimise the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders related to intense device use for young adolescents.

Practitioner Summary: Adolescents: (1) in higher school year had increased forward-head posture (FHP) and thoracic kyphosis; (2) with musculoskeletal symptoms had increased FHP and loss of lumbar lordosis, and; (3) with extended device use had a loss of lumbar lordosis. Early intervention targeting young adolescents promoting optimal posture and habit of device use is warranted.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• smartphone
• spine posture
• musculoskeletal disorders

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the principals, teachers, student participants, and physiotherapy student assessors that joined in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund (Health Care and Promotion Scheme) under the Health Bureau, HKSAR Government [Ref. No. 02180348].