Keywords

Smartphone; Text Neck Syndrome; Forward Head Posture; Duration; College; University

Abstract

Objective: A scoping review was employed to consolidate what is currently being studied and reported on concerning interactions with smartphone devices and correlated negative health-outcomes, specifically within the college student population. We are specifically concerned with this population due to the unique demands of technology use coupled with free time use of smartphone devices. Information such as study focus, study design, and summarized results are be provided within this compilation of available data. Results: The existing data findings are heavily skewed in favor of a positive correlation between smartphone use and negative health-outcomes. Sampling 17,069 total participants across 41 studies, which utilized 36 various tools and scales in at least 4 different study designs, only 2 articles found a lack of correlative evidence for negative health-outcomes within this population. Designs were commonly cross-sectional, which can only assign correlation and not causation. The top scales utilized were the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV). Conclusions: Due to the variable nature of Smartphone use and lack of gold standard tools to clearly define, measure, and intervene in this area of study, goals to create and apply such standards are imperative in securing a high level of understanding to contribute towards an improved Health-Related Quality of Life for this population. Correlative findings are currently what has been found to be available. There is a critical lack of temporality within available work as a result. Causative findings are required to fully grasp and rectify the problems surrounding smartphone overuse. Note that the oldest article included was published in 2014 with a slow increase in volume of work leading into 2024, which is a positive trend in concern but is still not enough to fully understand the scope of risks involved.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Rovito, Michael

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Health Sciences

Thesis Discipline

Physical Therapy

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright