EFFICACY OF YWTL EXERCISES ON POSTURE IN MOTOR AND COGNITIVE DUAL TASK DURING SMARTPHONE USE

Abstract

Introduction: Long-term physical contact while using a smartphone causes poor posture which leads to musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of YWTL exercises on posture in motor and cognitive dual tasks during smartphone use. Methodology: Based on eligibility criteria for recruitment, 118 subjects were chosen. After being informed about the study, participants were allocated into two groups: Group A (the control group) and Group B (the experimental group). 59 individuals were allocated to each group. Before the initiation of interventions, each participant’s personal information, including age, height, weight, BMI, occupation, and screen time, was collected. Primary outcome measures CVA, CHA, and SSP were evaluated at the start of the intervention and three weeks later after the intervention. Results: The result of the study revealed that both groups’ interventions effectively improved forward head posture affected by prolonged use of smartphones. All outcome measures showed a statistically significant improvement after 3 weeks. However, on comparison between both groups, the YWTL exercises group had a more clinically significant reduction in outcomes. Conclusion: The study’s findings indicated that the application of 3 weeks of YWTL exercises combined with neck isometrics is an effective method to reduce the cranio-horizontal angle, craniovertebral angle, and sagittal shoulder angle consequently resulting in a reduction of forward head posture.