Published Paper Details:

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Smartphones have become an integral part of daily life among medical students due to academic and recreational demands. Prolonged and excessive smartphone use is associated with poor posture, repetitive movements, and sustained neck flexion, which may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly affecting the neck and upper extremities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among medical students due to smartphone use. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 132 medical students aged 18-25 years at Motiwala College of Physiotherapy using purposive sampling. Outcome measures included the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. RESULTS: The study revealed a high prevalence of mild neck disability (90.2%), while 75.8% of participants showed no upper limb disability. CONCLUSION: Excessive smartphone use is strongly associated with neck-related musculoskeletal disorders among medical students, highlighting the need for early preventive and ergonomic interventions.