The Role of Smart Hand Held Devices – Smartphones/iPads/Tablets/Smartwatches in Causing Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study conducted a systematic literature review to assess the scientific evidence of modern touchscreen smart device's usage contribution to musculoskeletal disorders. A systematic research methodology was adopted and identified 40 relevant articles. These days smart devices have become the most convenient to access portable device. The smartphones/smart devices are increasingly used for long durations, often in non-neutral and nontraditional working postures. Such usage results in multiple physical ergonomic risk factors such as static posture, repetitive finger force, and increased muscle activity. Regions of the body potentially impacted are distal upper extremity (DUE), shoulder, neck, and back/spine. The findings of systematic literature review revealed that smart handheld devices used without back support might increase wrist, hand, elbow, shoulder, back and neck stress. The non-neutral working postures adopted for long duration results in pain/discomfort/musculoskeletal issues among the users. The neutral postures and smart device usage in moderation with user friendly dimensions are recommended to mitigate muscle disorders. Texting with two hands and neutral sitting posture requires lesser muscle activity in wrist extensor/hand/elbow shoulder/neck/back. The forearms may be supported while using both thumbs on the device to mitigate musculoskeletal disorders. Future studies should determine whether the use of smart devices in moderation employing neutral postures and lesser repetition can reduce prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among smart device users.