Comparison of musculoskeletal pain in neck, trunk, and upper limbs among Korean and Chinese smartphone users by posture: A cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Background: Posture during smartphone use is an important factor that affects musculoskeletal pain.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of musculoskeletal pain in the neck, trunk, and upper extremities during smartphone use.

Methods: A total of 326 Chinese and Korean smartphone users participated in an online survey on smartphone posture, addiction, and musculoskeletal pain.

Results: The neck, shoulder, and lower back were most frequently affected, whereas the elbow, lower back, and forearm showed the highest level of discomfort. Stiffness was the predominant type of discomfort in most body parts. Numbness surpassed stiffness in the elbow and hand, whereas throbbing surpassed stiffness in the wrist. Body posture influenced upper arm and lower back discomfort, with a right-sided lying posture resulting in the highest level of lower back pain (p < 0.05). Using a smartphone with a more flexed neck posture increased neck discomfort (p < 0.05). Holding a smartphone with one hand, while controlling the screen with the opposite finger, increased hand pain (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The inferences obtained from this study indicate that smartphone usage posture significantly affects musculoskeletal discomfort. The suggested posture for minimizing musculoskeletal discomfort is to use the smartphone in a left-side-lying position, hold it vertically with both hands, and utilize both thumbs for texting and scrolling.