Smartphone Users Research Articles

P.006 Barriers and risk factors for emergency room visits vs smartphone app use for migraine in Canada and the United States

Background: Migraine affects more than 1 billion people, with attacks triggered by a variety of factors. Knowledge of environmental triggers for migraine attacks is limited, and has mostly been studied via emergency room (ER) visits. There are significant barriers and delays for attending ER for migraine treatment, which create challenges for estimating causal links to environmental exposures. We assessed whether smartphone app records may have fewer barriers and reduced lags. Methods: American and Canadian participants completed an online survey about their migraine attacks, smartphone app use, and ER visits. Results: Among 308 participants, barriers to visiting ER were similar in both countries, except for financial concerns in the US. About half of participants who attended ER also recorded the attack in a diary or app. Whereas migraine patients often present to ER 7+ days after onset, records in a smartphone app dataset were created within 2 days of onset. Conclusions: Although not all severe migraine attacks are recorded by smartphone users, smartphone app records may have fewer barriers to creation and shorter time lags compared to ER visit records, making them a rich source of data for research on transient neurologic health outcomes and environmental exposures.

Association of Body Image Distortion with Smartphone Dependency and Usage Time in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Korean Youth Study.

Adolescent dependency on smartphones is the highest among all age groups. Adolescents can be influenced to evaluate their body image by popular ideals about beautiful bodies via smartphone content, which can cause body image distortion. This study aimed to examine the association between body image distortion and smartphone dependency and the duration of smartphone usage among Korean adolescents. This study used data from the 16th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (2020), and included 42,981 participants, who were grouped according to self-reported duration of smartphone usage and smartphone dependency, as measured by a questionnaire. Body image distortion is defined as an exaggerated subjective body image compared to the actual body image. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of body image distortion on smartphone dependency and usage time after adjusting for various factors related to body image distortion. Among the 42,981 participants, both moderate and high levels of smartphone dependency were associated with body image distortion in boys (moderate: adjusted OR [aOR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; high: aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.32) and girls (moderate: aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.23; high: aOR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.18-1.42) compared to the low-level dependency group. However, no significant association was found between smartphone usage duration and body image distortion. Our study demonstrated that moderate to high levels of smartphone dependency are associated with body image distortion in adolescents. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategies for checking and managing adolescents' smartphone dependence.

General Review of Smartphone Usability in Noise Mapping

The global urban population is steadily increasing, with more than half of the world's population currently residing in cities, and this trend is expected to double by 2050. As urbanization continues, noise pollution becomes a significant concern, affecting over 60% of major city dwellers and impacting human health on both physiological and psychological levels. To address this issue, governments and organizations are striving to develop effective noise assessment, regulation, and mitigation policies. This literature review explores the role of noise mapping and the potential of smartphones in collecting noise data to inform these policies. Traditional noise mapping techniques and smartphone-based data collection methods are discussed, along with their importance in urban planning, environmental studies, and public health. Key research questions are identified, including the methodologies employed for smartphone-based noise mapping, the accuracy of smartphone-collected data compared to traditional measurements, practical applications, challenges, and emerging trends. The review reveals that smartphones offer a cost-effective and widespread means of gathering noise data, enabling real-time insights and enhancing various domains' practical applications. However, challenges such as data accuracy, privacy concerns, and device limitations must be addressed. The future of smartphone-based noise mapping looks promising, with advancements in sensor technologies, artificial intelligence, and data analysis tools empowering researchers, urban planners, and policymakers to make informed decisions about noise pollution in urban environments.

Smartphone Use in the Management of Neurological Emergencies: A Simulation-Based Study.

Smartphone use in medicine is nearly universal despite a dearth of research assessing utility in clinical performance. We sought to identify and define smartphone use during simulated neuroemergencies. In this retrospective review of a prospective observational single-center simulation-based study, participants ranging from subinterns to attending physicians and stratified by training level (novice, intermediate, and advanced) managed a variety of neurological emergencies. The primary outcome was frequency and purpose of smartphone use. Secondary outcomes included success rate of smartphone use and performance (measured by completion of critical tasks) of participants who used smartphones versus those who did not. In subgroup analyses we compared outcomes across participants by level of training using t-tests and χ2 statistics. One hundred and three participants completed 245 simulation scenarios. Smartphones were used in 109 (45%) simulations. Of participants using smartphones, 102 participants looked up medication doses, 52 participants looked up management guidelines, 11 participants looked up hospital protocols, and 13 participants used smartphones for assistance with an examination scale. Participants found the correct answer 73% of the time using smartphones. There was an association between participant level and smartphone use with intermediate participants being more likely to use their smartphones than novice or advanced participants, 53% versus 29% and 26%, respectively (p < 0.05). Of the intermediate participants, those who used smartphones did not perform better during the simulation scenario than participants who did not use smartphones (smartphone users' mean score [standard deviation] = 12.3 [2.9] vs. nonsmartphone users' mean score [standard deviation] = 12.9 (2.7), p = 0.85). Participants commonly used smartphones in simulated neuroemergencies but use didn't confer improved clinical performance. Less experienced participants were the most likely to use smartphones and less likely to arrive at correct conclusions, and thus are the most likely to benefit from an evidence-based smartphone application for neuroemergencies.

Fear of Missing Out Syndrome and its Impact on Sleep Quality in Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a type of social anxiety defined as "intense concern that others may be experiencing rewarding experiences without one's presence," which can lead to illness. Excessive smartphone use is often associated with FOMO. This study aimed to investigate FOMO among medical university students, as well as factors associated with sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and excessive smartphone use. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using electronic questionnaires and the following scales: FOMO scale/score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS SV). Results Participants included 142 individuals (mean age 23.73 ± 4.98 years, 97 [68.3% female]). All participants were smartphone users. Fear of missing out was present (FOMO score 22.08 ± 6.71) along with poorer sleep quality (PSQI 7.26 ± 3.08) and excessive smartphone use (SAS SV 30.21 ± 10.20). Moderate/severe anxiety (BAI) was reported by 35.2% of participants, while 16.9% had moderate/severe depression (BDI). Positive correlations were found between PSQI and FOMO ( p < 0.05), as well as between SAS SV and FOMO ( p < 0.001), PSQI ( p < 0.001), BAI ( p < 0.001), and BDI ( p < 0.001). Discussion High levels of FOMO, poorer sleep quality, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and excessive smartphone use were found among medical students. Furthermore, a positive correlation was demonstrated between these factors, which can directly impact the physical and mental health, as well as the academic performance of these young individuals.

Uttarakhand State Earthquake Early Warning System: A Case Study of the Himalayan Environment.

The increased seismic activity observed in the Himalayas, coupled with the expanding urbanization of the surrounding areas in northern India, poses significant risks to both human lives and property. Developing an earthquake early warning system in the region could help in alleviating these risks, especially benefiting cities and towns in mountainous and foothill regions close to potential earthquake epicenters. To address this concern, the government and the science and engineering community collaborated to establish the Uttarakhand State Earthquake Early Warning System (UEEWS). The government of Uttarakhand successfully launched this full-fledged operational system to the public on 4 August 2021. The UEEWS includes an array of 170 accelerometers installed in the seismogenic areas of the Uttarakhand. Ground motion data from these sensors are transmitted to the central server through the dedicated private telecommunication network 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This system is designed to issue warnings for moderate to high-magnitude earthquakes via a mobile app freely available for smartphone users and by blowing sirens units installed in the buildings earmarked by the government. The UEEWS has successfully issued alerts for light earthquakes that have occurred in the instrumented region and warnings for moderate earthquakes that have triggered in the vicinity of the instrumented area. This paper provides an overview of the design of the UEEWS, details of instrumentation, adaptation of attributes and their relation to earthquake parameters, operational flow of the system, and information about dissemination of warnings to the public.

Empirical Study and Statistical Analysis of the Nexus between Smartphone and Academic Performance

The primary objective of this research is to investigate and determine the positive and negative influences of smartphones on students' academic performance. This is a comparative study of the effects of using smartphones on the academic performance of university students as students use their smartphones for both educational and recreational purposes. The research was conducted at different educational institutes in the Nawabshah district. The questionnaire was developed for this study and the sample size was 300, simple random sample techniques were used for data collection. Cross-tabulation and chi-square techniques were used to analyze the data. The result of the study found that students' smartphone use influences them positively and negatively. Also, most students consider smartphones useful for obtaining academic content. As a result, it is suggested that teachers use this medium to connect with students more frequently like chat groups to help everyone to stay connected. In addition, Educational institutions should also implement software that bans students from the use of social networking sites while attending class. Further, it is revealed that smartphones have a wide range of effects on the academic career of undergraduate students at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Degree Boys' College Nawabshah, and the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Sakrand. Arguments. Hence, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of smartphone usage on academic performance and provides insights into potential strategies for raising a balanced and productive relationship between students and their smartphones in the educational context.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with neck pain among smartphone users at the University of Balochistan, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Background Shoulder and neck pain is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Different factors have been associated with it; among these factors some common are the use of a computer and smartphones without a break, sitting in an uncomfortable position. It has been reported that the prevalence of neck pain among smartphone users ranges from 20.0%-73%. This study will evaluate the prevalence of neck pain among smartphone users and the risk factors associated with it at the University of Balochistan Quetta Pakistan. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2022 at the University of Balochistan Quetta to find out the prevalence of neck pain and it risk factors. Data were collected randomly by distributing 500 questionnaires among the students irrespective of age, gender, department, and year of study. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD, and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to find out the risk factors associated with neck pain and a p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results The results revealed that the prevalence of neck pain was 73%. In MVBLR analysis, male gender (OR=0.360, p-value=0.000), students in 4th year (OR=3.281, p-value=0.002), Left handed (OR=0.395, p-value=0.002), the habit of physical exercise (OR=0.594, p-value=0.032), number of social media used in a day (OR=2.414, p-value=0.039), use of other electronic devices (OR=1.858, p-value=0.010), style of holding (OR=3.289, p-value=0.008) and posture adopted during smartphones use (OR=0.614, p-value=0.050) had a significant association with the neck pain during smartphone use among university students. Conclusion In the current study high number of study, participants reported neck pain. Female gender, students in 4th year, left-handed, the habit of physical exercise, use of five or more social media applications, use of other electronic devices, and posture adopted on laying back were the risk factors associated with neck pain.

An Observational Study to Assess Smartphone Usage in Patients of Anxiety and Depression

Abstract Background: Anxiety and depression disorders are among the most common psychiatric illness in the community and primary care. There is paucity in data regarding the assessment of smartphone use in mental disorders. Therefore, the study was undertaken to assess the use of smartphones at the time of presentation at a tertiary care centre and after an episode of anxiety and/or depression. Methodology: 145 subjects were screened for depression and anxiety subjectively. Smartphone use was assessed at the time of diagnosis, and for 1 week, 5 weeks and 3 months by using Stay Free© App. Results: There was significant correlation between total screen time with HAM D and HAM A scores. Conclusion: Smartphone usage is significantly associated with severity of depression and anxiety. Counselling of the subjects with anxiety and depression regarding the effect of smartphones on health is required and instructions should be given regarding the proper use of gadgets.

Beyond screentime: a 7-day mobile tracking study among college students to disentangle smartphone screentime and content effects on sleep

ABSTRACT Health professionals and scholars alike consider evening smartphone use an important public health challenge. Existing research on the effects of smartphone usage on sleep has three limitations, namely reliance on self-report measures of smartphone use and/or sleep, limited attention to within-person effects, and a focus on general screentime rather than specific app usage. The current study addressed these limitations by conducting a seven-day study assessing smartphone use and sleep with a combination of subjective and objective measures among 75 students. The findings do not support the assumption that evening smartphone interferes with sleep. We did observe between-person relationships between specific indicators of smartphone usage and sleep, e.g. sleep quality was positively related to the use of meditation apps, and negatively related to the use of work-related apps. These findings indicate research should focus on what individuals do on their phones instead of how much time they spend.

Hold Relax outperforms Friction in treating De Quervain Syndrome

This study compared the efficacy of Friction and Hold Relax exercises in alleviating De Quervain syndrome symptoms among smartphone game players. Utilizing a quasi-experimental pre and post-test design with 14 participants in each group, the research found that Hold Relax exercises significantly improved thumb function compared to Friction (p = 0.002). These results highlight the importance of tailored therapeutic interventions for De Quervain syndrome patients, particularly among smartphone game players, and provide valuable insights for optimizing treatment strategies in this population. Highlight: Superiority of Hold Relax: Effective for De Quervain syndrome among smartphone users. Tailored Therapy: Recognizes specific needs of smartphone game players. Clinical Insights: Optimizing treatment strategies for De Quervain syndrome rehabilitation. Keyword: De Quervain syndrome, smartphone game players, therapeutic exercises, Hold Relax, Friction

Student attitudes towards smartphone use in a pre-service teacher tech course

In contemporary classrooms, characterized by students who are digital natives with a firm reliance on mobile phones, integrating these devices into educational activities presents an opportunity to enhance learning experiences and increase engagement. This qualitative case study investigates undergraduate pre-service teachers’ perceptions of using smartphones for learning activities in a Teacher Education Program (T.E.P.) technology course at a 4-year institution in the U.S. The researchers sought to examine how the use of smartphones influenced the students’ learning experiences. Understanding students' experiences can inform the development of strategies to enhance technology-integrated lessons and foster improved learning environments. The findings indicated that students had positive experiences with using smartphones in class. They found the devices to help enhance online learning security and were reliable, versatile, and affordable compared to other forms of technology. The ability of the devices to download and accommodate a variety of educational materials was also a valuable attribute for the students. However, challenges associated with unrestricted phone access in the classroom, including the risk of addiction, distraction, decreased engagement, and concerns regarding academic integrity, were reported. As smartphones become integral to our learning environment, educators should establish policies promoting responsible usage to optimize students' learning potential rather than imposing bans. The researchers propose that institutions invest in innovative software solutions to manage smartphone usage proactively. This approach enables students to enhance their focus and productivity during crucial learning moments while mitigating distractions posed by mobile phones.

Fake News Detection using Machine Learning

Fake News Detection using Machine Learning

Technographic segmentation of smartphone usage at the Rainforest World Music Festival

PurposeThis is amongst the first works to develop a technographic segmentation of smartphone users attending music festivals based on attitudes, motivations and usage patterns. We also aim to describe festivalgoers’ characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 522 festivalgoers who attended the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Malaysia. A two-stage cluster analysis of Ward’s method and k-means was applied to develop technographic segmentation during the festival. Using discriminant analysis, we confirmed that each festivalgoer’s characteristics differ amongst groups.FindingsFour technographic segments were developed: alarm hitters, technological tickers, plug pullers and fuse blowers. The results confirmed that festivalgoers had distinct characteristics and preferences based on smartphone use.Research limitations/implicationsWe extend previous research on the technographic segmentation of smartphones and festivalgoers. We highlighted the limitations of cluster analysis in terms of stability to produce a suitable number of segments and to include other festivals. The generalisability of the results may be constrained by the time gap between data collection and publication.Practical implicationsOur results can help marketing managers understand the needs of segments by selecting appropriate advertisements and promotional tools that appeal directly to the desired target segments.Social implicationsThis study will help local communities increase their revenue and job opportunities. The culture of music festivals for the next generation can be sustained and promoted by local and international festival lovers.Originality/valueThis study is the first to present festivalgoers' use of the technographic segmentation term in music festivals.

Is problematic use of the Internet and smartphone predictor of unhealthy eating behaviors and abnormal body weight in Turkish young adults?

With technological progress, the use of the internet and smartphones has become an inseparable part of our lives and their use is increasing. The uncontrolled use of both the internet and smartphones is defined as problematic use. This study examined the effects of problematic internet and smartphone use on dietary behaviors and abnormal body weight status in young adults. Participants were 560 university students. Participants completed measures of demographics, dietary behaviors, internet and smartphone usage habits, Young's Internet Addiction Test and Smartphone Addiction Scale. Negative associations were found between dietary behaviors and problematic internet and smartphone use. Significant inverse associations were also found between these uses and recommended consumption levels of several food groups. For a healthy future generation, it is recommended that policies be developed to prevent or manage these problematic uses, especially in young adults with negative dietary behaviors and abnormal body weight.

Effectiveness of Gerontechnology Empowerment Program on Awareness and Use of Mobile Apps Among Older Adults for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs) are crucial for older adults to live independently. Health care and technological advancements will increase the older adult population and life expectancy globally. Difficulties with iADLs impact older adults' quality of life. Mobile apps can assist older adults, but many require help due to limited awareness. Lack of awareness is a barrier to app use. Existing literature mainly covers health care and app design, needing more focus on iADL apps for older adults. The study objectives encompass 2 main aspects: first, to evaluate the awareness, use, and factors influencing the use of apps among older adults for iADLs; and second, to create and assess the effectiveness of a gerontechnology empowerment program (GEP) for older adults on the awareness and use of apps for iADLs. This research uses a quantitative approach divided into 2 distinct phases. In phase 1, we conduct a descriptive survey to assess the level of awareness and use of mobile apps for iADLs and identify the factors that influence the use of such apps among older adults. To ensure clarity and comprehension among participants, we provide them with a subject information sheet in both Kannada and English. The data collected during this phase enable us to gain insights into awareness levels, use patterns, and factors that shape older adults' use of apps for iADLs. The results serve as the foundation for designing the GEP. In phase 2, a cluster randomization method will be used to select older adults aged 60 to 75 years in Udupi district, Karnataka, India, who are active smartphone users. These participants will be divided into 2 groups: the experimental and the control groups. The experimental group will join the GEP. The sample size for phase 1 is 554, and phase 2 is 50. To assess the effectiveness of this program, we will measure the outcomes before and after its implementation using the same assessment tools used in phase 1. This study is funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (Adhoc/193/2022/SBHSR on November 18, 2022). Phase 1 data collection is expected to be completed by November 2023, and phase 2 is scheduled to commence in the upcoming months. Phase 1 and 2 findings will be analyzed and discussed in the main paper, which we intend to submit to a high-quality peer-reviewed journal for publication. The research protocol, informed consent forms, and associated documentation received approval from institutional ethics committees (214/2020). Upon the successful testing of the GEP, it can be recommended that welfare departments encourage older adults to use mobile apps for iADLs and establish training programs to provide support to older adults in using these apps. Clinical Trials Registry - India CTRI/2020/09/027977; https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=NDUxMzM=&Enc=&userName=027977. DERR1-10.2196/53587.

The Impact of Smartphones on the Academic Performance of University Students

Smartphones have become an important medium of connection and information. It is frequently used for social and academic purposes. This study examines the intricate relationship between smartphone usage patterns and academic performance among university students. Data was collected from 300 participants with the help of a Google survey form. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), factor analysis, and logistic regression were used for the analysis of data. The findings revealed that the majority of students spend 1-3 hours daily on their smartphones with social media emerging as the primary purpose for usage. Despite prevalent smart phone usages, students reported relatively high cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs), indicating positive academic achievement levels. However, the analysis also uncovered that smartphone usages, brings distractions while studying. Logistic regression analysis identified the significant predictors of CGPA, highlighting the importance of managing smartphone habits effectively. Multi-dimensional scaling (MDs) and factor analysis provided insights into the clustering of factors related to smartphone usage and academic performance. Overall, these findings underscore the need for targeted intervention to promote responsible smartphone usage habits and support academic success among university students.

Evaluasi Tingkat Keberhasilan Aplikasi Tije Menggunakan Metode Pieces Framework

The TIJE application is a digital platform that has been specifically developed to provide smartphone users convenient online access to Transjakarta information. In order to use the platform, individuals must first establish an internet connection and then download the TIJE application. In order to evaluate user satisfaction with the TIJE application, it is essential to identify any faults or problems that may be associated with its utilization. One such way for assessment is the use of the PIECES framework. The study utilizes a quantitative research technique, using a survey administered via Google Forms as the principal instrument for data gathering. The data that has been gathered is then subjected to analysis using the statistical software package SPSS version 26. The assessment of user satisfaction with the TIJE application may be conducted with the PIECES approach. This approach assesses user satisfaction across many areas. The findings suggest that participants assigned a rating of 4.04 to Performance, 4.23 to Information and Data, 4.25 to Economy, 4.51 to Control and Security, 4.55 to Efficiency, and 4.59 to Service. The ratings achieved for the TIJE application vary from 4.2 to 5, indicating a notable degree of customer satisfaction.

The Power of Perception: Exploring Country Image, Quality, Value, and Repurchase Intentions in Chinese Smartphone Brands

The role of a country's image in changing consumer views can encourage consumers to repurchase products from that country. This study focuses on the effect of a country's image on repurchase intentions with the additional influence of perceived value and perceived quality. This research method uses an explanatory method with a quantitative approach. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling technique with smart phone users and has purchased Chinese brand smart phones more than twice as a sample. The results obtained show that country image has a significant effect on repurchase intention, besides that other constructs such as perceived value and perceived quality also have a significant effect on repurchase intention. Keywords: Country Image; Perceived Quality; Perceived Value; Repurchase Intention; Smartphone

Can mothers avoid guilt about their smartphone usage behavior? Effects of the availability norm and goal conflict on guilt, recovery, and accomplishment experiences

Balancing everyday tasks with the expectations of others regarding one's availability via smartphone is a challenge, especially for mothers. This research replicated and further developed studies by Halfmann and colleagues in 2021 and 2024 that yielded contradictory results regarding the conditions of feelings of guilt about (not) using the smartphone. More specifically, we investigated how smartphone-related goal conflict, the availability norm, and the parental phone use norm are related to mothers’ feelings of guilt when completing non-stressful everyday tasks. In addition, we researched how smartphone-related goal conflict and guilt are linked with experiences of recovery and task accomplishment. Results from a preregistered experience sampling study among 227 mothers of young children were largely in line with our hypotheses. They revealed, among others, that frequent smartphone use was more strongly linked with guilt when mothers perceived high goal conflict. If the availability norm was salient, little smartphone use was associated with more guilt. The results also indicated that the availability norm partly legitimized frequent smartphone use despite goal conflict. Nevertheless, overall, the findings suggest that mothers tend to experience low levels of guilt about their smartphone usage behavior and that these feelings do not impair the recovery from tasks.