Neck pain among smartphone users: an imminent public health issue during the pandemic time

Abstract

COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in social mobility and travel restrictions to contain the infection. It has been reported that there happened post-pandemic surge in the use of the internet and social media as people rely on it more often for entertainment, work, and learning purposes. It is also been used as an unhealthy coping strategy for pandemic related stress. The smartphone was found to be the most common gadget used for accessing internet-based services. Owing to the postural alterations related to the small screen size of smartphones, neck pain was reported very commonly among smartphone users. Neck pain among smartphone users is a public health concern needing immediate attention in the pandemic time. Many of the risk factors leading to neck pain among smartphone users are modifiable. The authors outline preventive strategies that are mostly self- regulated. The strategies recommended include reducing Smartphone usage time (Smartphone-Free Time, Smartphone-Free Zone), maintaining ideal posture (Focus Breaks, Mobility Breaks, How am I keeping my posture?, Hands-free alternatives), doing regular exercises, preparing and following an activity schedule, and inculcating healthy habits. References • Sohrabi C, Alsafi Z, O’Neill N, Khan M, Kerwan A, Al-Jabir A, et al. World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Int J Surg 2020; 76: 71–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.034 • Király O, Potenza MN, Stein DJ, King DL, Hodgins DC, Saunders JB, et al. Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 100:152180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152180 • Sun Y, Li Y, Bao Y, Meng S, Sun Y, Schumann G, et al. Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in China. 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Keywords

• Neck Pain, Smartphone, Overuse, COVID-19, Pandemics, Public Health, Primary Prevention