Background Non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is characterized by pain, stiffness, functional limitation impacting overall
quality of life. Strongly associated nowadays with smartphone usage posture. The study aimed to explore clinical
benefits of addressing daily postural habits by integrating an ergonomic accessory called neck-mounted smartphone
holder.
Methods The study included 40 patients aged 18–45 years diagnosed with NSNP who used a smartphone at least
6 h a day, recruited from the outpatient clinics of faculty of physical therapy at Benha University and they were
randomly allocated to two equal groups. Both received conventional exercise in the form of isometric strength
and stretch exercises for three weekly sessions over 4 weeks. The study group was instructed additionally to use
the holder daily during smartphone use. Measured outcomes were numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), neck Bourne-
mouth questionnaire (NBQ), cervical range of motion (CROM) and pain pressure threshold of neck muscles (PPT). Two
measurements were taken, first at baseline, second after the end of 12th session. The study confirmed normality (Sha-
piro–Wilk) and variance homogeneity (Levene’s), used unpaired t-tests for demographic comparisons, and applied
mixed-design MANOVA (SPSS v23) with follow-up ANOVAs and Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc tests (α
=
0.05) to assess
treatment effects on outcomes.
Results However, both groups showed significant difference post intervention, greater improvement was reported
in the study group in terms of pain (NPRS: 77% vs. 46%), function (NBQ: 78% vs. 42%) and cervical mobility as flexion
(20% vs. 5%), extension (40% vs. 20%), side bending (right: 26% vs. 13%; left: 24% vs. 10%), and rotation (right: 36%
vs. 12%; left: 42% vs. 22%). PPT at suboccipital point (right: 70% vs.14%; left: 68% vs. 23%), levator scapula (right 58%
vs. 13%; left: 60% vs. 22%), and upper trapezius (right: 39% vs. 13%; left: 34% vs. 16%). MANOVA revealed significant
group, time, and interaction effects (ƞ2
=
0.92–0.99, p < 0.001).
Conclusion Adding smartphone holders to conventional exercises had greater effect on neck pain, functional mobil-
ity, and quality of life in patients with NSNP. AS aligned with previous research, holistic management of neck pain
and addressing daily habits as behavioral and environmental modification showed greater improvement.
Trial registration This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT06767098) under title “Efficacy of New Ergo-
nomic Device in Non-Specific Neck Pain” on 5 January 2025, retrospectively registered. |
