Effects of Using Smartphone on Hand Grip, Pinch Strength and Neck Muscles Endurance among Novice Physiotherapists

Background: Overusing smartphones may diminish hand grip, pinch strength, and neck muscle endurance in new physiotherapists, which could affect their ability to do their jobs and their physical health. Objective: To determine the effects of using smartphone on hand grip, pinch strength and neck muscles endurance among novice physiotherapists. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 195a and data was gathered from physiotherapists of Lahore. The study duration was from March 2024 to September 2024. Non-probability of convenience sampling technique was used. Novice physiotherapists, and active clinicians for 1-3 years after graduation practising in hospitals and clinics are eligible for participation with the demographics (Status, age, gender and weight). Both Gender, Students of university, Students who use the phone more than five hours a day and Participants with no known radiculopathy were included. Students with chronic back, shoulder or neck pain. Participants with a previous history of surgery and trauma of the neck and hand. Hand dynamometer, Jamar pinch gauge dynamometer and Extensor and flexor cervical test were used as assessment tools. A smartphone addiction questionnaire was used to assess smartphone addiction among participants. Ethical consideration was followed throughout the study. Results: The study found that the average power grip of the dominant hand was 38.81±15.05, with a range of 11.30 to 64.00. The non-dominant hand had an average power grip of 24.03±14.84, ranging from 6.00 to 51.00. The dominant hand had a tip-to-tip pinch strength of 3.55±1.18 and a jaw pinch strength of 3.79±1.06, while the non-dominant hand had a tip-to-tip pinch strength of 3.47±1.23 and three jaw pinch strength of 3.79±.716. Smartphone addiction was negatively correlated with grip strength and pinch strength in both hands, as well as with cervical endurance tests (p<0.05). Conclusion: Concluded that there is a relationship between smartphone addiction with hand grip, pinch grip strength and neck muscle endurance of both flexor and extensor muscles among novice physiotherapists.