The Effect of Smartphone Use Duration in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain.
Condition: Neck Pain; Cervical Pain
MeSH terms: Neck Pain
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of smartphone usage duration
      on neck pain and sense of position as well as Deep Cervical Flexor (DCF) fatigue in young and
      middle aged patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

      BACKGROUND: Neck pain is one of most common causes of musculoskeletal disorders with a
      prevalence up to 86.8 %. It may interfere with the ability to perform normal activities of
      daily living (ADL). Patients with neck pain may present with reduced Rang of Motion (ROM) and
      diminished cervical position sense.

      There are many risk factors that have been associated with neck pain including physiological
      factors such as age or pathomechanical factors such as increased physical demand on the
      spine. Smartphone use has been proposed as a risk factor for the development of neck pain in
      young adults due to sustaining a prolonged static posture or repeating particular neck
      movements for long period. The adverse effects of smartphone increases as the duration of the
      use increases. Aging is associated with increased cervical reposition error and reduced DCF
      muscle endurance, yet it is not clear how older adults will respond to prolonged use of
      smartphone.

      HYPOTHESES: Increased duration of smartphone use will

        1. increase neck pain in middle aged compared to young adult patients with chronic
           mechanical.

        2. decrease cervical position sense in middle aged compared to young adult patients with
           chronic mechanical neck pain.

        3. increase DCF fatigue in middle aged compared to young adult patients with chronic
           mechanical neck pain.

      RESEARCH QUESTION: Would increased duration of smartphone usage accentuate neck pain,
      cervical reposition error and DCF fatigue in middle aged compared to young adults with
      chronic mechanical neck pain?
    

Detailed description: 
      Patients with chronic mechanical neck pain will be instructed to use a standard smartphone
      for web browsing, either for 10 or 30 minutes, while seated on a standard chair at two
      separate sessions. Task duration will be tested by a random order generated by the Excel
      software.

      The outcome measures for this study will be neck pain, DCF fatigue and neck reposition error.
      All measures will be assessed prior to and immediately after performing the required task in
      each session by a single trained assessor.

      Neck pain will be assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), proprioception acuity will
      be quantified by measuring the repositioning error angle using Cervical Range of Motion
      instrument (CROM) and DCF endurance will be quantified using the neck stabilizer pressure
      biofeedback device.
    

Intervention name(s): Smartphone
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): A standard smartphone will be used for browsing the internet for two different durations (10 and 30 minutes)
Other intervention name(s): Smart phone; Cell phone; Mobile Phone
Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Patients will a confirmed diagnosis of chronic mechanical neck pain for over 3 months.
      
Keywords: Smartphone; Age; proprioception; Deep cervical fatigue; neck pain