Mobile phone addiction and cervical disability in university students with Text Neck symptoms

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between mobile phone addiction and cervical disability in university students presenting symptoms of "text neck" syndrome. An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive methodology was employed, with a sample of 49 Physical Therapy students from a public university in the state of Campeche, Mexico, aged between 18 and 25 years. Two validated instruments were employed: the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to assess cervical disability, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV) to measure the level of mobile phone addiction. The results showed a high dependence on mobile devices and a significant prevalence of cervical disability, with a significant positive correlation of 0.812 (p < 0.000) between both variables. These findings highlight that mobile phone addiction not only affects psychological well-being but also constitutes a risk factor for musculoskeletal problems. It is recommended to implement educational programs and preventive strategies in the university setting to mitigate the effects of excessive mobile device use.