ABSTRACT
Background: Smartphones are widely spread among the general population. This study was applied
to determine the prevalence of Smartphone addiction and its relation to musculoskeletal pain among
both male and female physical therapy students in Egypt.
Methods: A sample of 420 physical therapy students from 11 schools of physical therapy in Egypt participated in this survey. They filled in a Google form – with information about student’s demographic
data, device usage, phone size and behaviour, current symptoms – and a short version of smart phone
addiction scale. Numerical data were summarised using means, standard deviations, medians and
ranges. Categorical data were summarised as percentages. Comparisons between males and females
were made using the t-test and Chi-square tests.
Results: The Percentage of Smartphone addiction was 62.4% with increased level of addiction in
females more than males. About 82.38% reported that they have feeling of discomfort in different
body parts. There was a significant relation between some of the attempted positions during using
Smartphones and site of discomfort and its type.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Smartphone addiction among physical therapy students was high, with
more addiction apparent among females, and it was significantly related with discomfort in different
body parts. |
