Smartphone Usage and its Association to Text-Neck Syndrome in a Student Population

Abstract Background: The increasing use of smartphones, tablets, and laptops by university students has been accompanied by an increase in musculoskeletal complaints, particularly involving the cervical region. An emerging condition associated with prolonged digital device use is the Text-Neck Syndrome (TNS), characterized by neck pain, discomfort, and postural abnormalities resulting from sustained forward head posture. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of TNS in university students and identify the associated factors, such as age and gender. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among university students aged 18–27 years using a nonprobability convenience sampling method. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the Nomophobia Questionnaire to assess smartphone dependence and neck-related disability. Results: A total of 235 university students participated in the study, comprising 119 females (50.6%) and 116 males (49.4%), with a mean age of 23 ± 4 years. Approximately 62.1% of participants exhibited features consistent with TNS. Assessment using the NDI revealed that 50.21% of students experienced mild neck dysfunction, 17.02% reported moderate dysfunction, and 1.28% demonstrated severe dysfunction. The condition was particularly prevalent among students aged 20–24 years. Variations across age and gender groups further highlighted the need for targeted preventive and educational interventions within university settings. Conclusion: TNS appears to be a fairly common musculoskeletal problem among university students, which is probably related to prolonged digital device use. The findings underscore the importance of increasing awareness regarding healthy device-use habits, ergonomics, and preventive strategies.