The effects of screen time on balance in adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of increased screen time during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on balance in children aged 14 to 18 years. Patients and Methods: A total of 30 participants (16 females, 14 males; mean age: 15.3±1.3 years; range, 14 to 18 years) were included in the prospective study between March 2020 and December 2021. Videonystagmography and computerized dynamic posturography were applied and the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were assessed in all participants. The participants were divided into three groups according to screen time, with 10 in each group: 4-6 h (Group 1), 6-8 h (Group 2), and >8 h (Group 3) per day. Results: There was a significant difference between the three groups for somatosensory, visual, composite, VAS-imbalance scores (p≤0.05). While there was a significant difference for somatosensory and visual between Groups 1 and 3, there was a significant difference between all groups in composite scores (p≤0.05). There was a significant difference between the three groups for the vestibular score and PBS (p≤0.05). While there was a significant difference between Groups 1 and 3, as well as Groups 2 and 3 in vestibular scores, there was a significant difference between all groups in PBS scores (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The increase in the time spent in front of the screen may negatively affect balance functions of children and adolescents.