Effect of cervical exercises with corrective instructions on neck pain and disability in smartphone addicted users

Abstract

IntroductionSmartphone use has progressively increased worldwide in the recent few years, with has raised the incidence of musculoskeletal problems related to smartphone overuse. Neck pain is common in subjects practising various occupational and recreational activities. This study investigated the effects of deep cervical flexor muscles exercises with corrective instructions for smartphone use on neck pain and disability in smartphone addicted users.MethodsOverall, 40 subjects suffering from mechanical neck pain were randomly assigned to group A, who performed deep cervical flexor exercises and were given instructions regarding the correct smartphone use, and to group B, who maintained their routine physical activities during the study period, without any further advice. Neck pain intensity was measured with the visual analogue scale, while neck disability was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index.ResultsThe dependent t-test showed a significant post-treatment reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in neck pain and disability in group A, while no significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05) were found in group B. The independent t-test declared no significant pre-treatment differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05) between groups in the measured variables; after treatment, it revealed a significant reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in neck pain and disability in group A compared with group B.ConclusionsRegular practice of deep cervical flexor muscles training in addition to following corrective instructions for smartphone use constitutes an effective therapeutic tool in decreasing neck pain and disability in smartphone addicted users.