Association between Smartphone Addiction and Functional Neck Disability among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of smartphone addiction and analyze its relationship with functional neck disability among university students at Gopal Narayan Singh University.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from March to May 2026, involving 205 university students aged 17–30 years. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included demographic details, smartphone usage habits, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) to assess addiction levels, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to measure functional impairment.
Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of smartphone addiction, with 67.3% (n = 138) of participants classified as "High Risk." Item-level analysis of the NDI indicated that "Moderate Disability" was the most frequently reported functional limitation (44.8%). A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between smartphone addiction scores and neck disability (Pearson r = 0.248, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a Chi-square analysis demonstrated a direct dependency between daily smartphone usage duration and neck disability (χ² (????2)= 31.11, p = 0.0019), with severe functional restrictions notably increasing when usage exceeded six hours daily. No statistically significant differences were observed between genders regarding smartphone addiction or neck disability levels.
Conclusion: The findings confirm a significant positive relationship between smartphone addiction and functional neck disability among university students. The compounding effect of prolonged daily usage on cervical spine health highlights the urgent need for ergonomic awareness, postural correction education, and interventions to promote balanced digital habits to prevent long-term musculoskeletal complications.
References
Kwon, M., Kim, D. J., Cho, H., & Yang, S. (2013). The smartphone addiction scale: Development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLoS ONE, 8(12), Article e83558. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.00 83558
Ahmed, S., Mishra, A., Akter, R., Shah, M. H., & Sadia, A. A. (2022). Smartphone addiction and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulder, elbow, and hand among college going students: A cross-sectional study. Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy, 27(5), 1–8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-021-00067-3
Vernon, H., & Mior, S. (1991). The Neck Disability Index: A study of reliability and validity. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 14(7), 409–415. doi: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18347 53/
Talib, A., et al. (2026). Musculoskeletal strain and digital habits: Prevalence of neck pain associated with prolonged smartphone usage among university students. International Journal of Ergonomics, 14(2), 112–119. doi:
Kailashram, R., et al. (2025). Behavioral dependencies and physical health: Exploring the relationship between smartphone addiction and cervical muscle endurance in college students. Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders, 31(3), 204–211.
Elvan, G., et al. (2024). Evaluation of mobile phone usage duration, neck muscle endurance, and functional limitations among higher education populations. Spine Health Review, 19(1), 45–53.
Derakhshanrad, N., Vosoughi, F., Mohammadghasemi, F., & Motevasseli, E. (2021). Smartphone overuse and its association with musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations among university students. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 26, 254–261.
Tanveer, A., Iqbal, N., Khan, M., Hussain, S. A., Afzal, R., & Khan, N. (2025). Association of prolonged smartphone use with neck posture, pain, and functional disability in young adults. The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, 5(4), 10–15.
Saeed, A., Shahid, A., Liaqat, M., Farhat, R., Khursheed, R., Ahmed, S., Rafique, N., & Rafique, A. (2024). Prevalence of forward head posture and its association with smartphone use among university students. Pakistan BioMedical Journal, 7(10), 13–18.
Talib, A., et al. (2026). Prevalence of neck pain and its association with smartphone usage among university students. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 30(1), 45–52.
Kailashram, P., et al. (2025). Smartphone addiction and its impact on neck muscle endurance among college students. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research, 13(2), 210–217.
Author(s) unknown. (2025). Impact of sedentary behavior and digital device usage on neck pain. Journal of Public Health and Ergonomics, 18(3), 120–128.
Elvan, M., et al. (2024). Association between mobile phone usage duration, neck muscle endurance, and neck pain among university students. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 36(4), 300–306.
Elvan, M., et al. (2024). Effects of prolonged smartphone use on cervical discomfort and functional limitations. Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21(2), 150–158.
Marko, D. (2024). Tech neck: The impact of forward head posture on cervical spine health. Ergonomics and Health Journal, 12(1), 25–30.
Verywell Health. (2024). Causes and prevention of neck pain from smartphone use. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com
Maayah, M., et al. (2023). Neck pain associated with smartphone usage among university students. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 24, 455.
Iqbal, Z., et al. (2023). Smartphone usage patterns and forward head posture as a risk factor for neck pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 27, 98–104.
Al-Hadidi, F., et al. (2019). Association between mobile phone use and neck pain: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, 24(3), 456–461.
Irudayaraj, J. I. (2022). Text neck syndrome in undergraduate health science students from a university in the Western Cape: A cross-sectional study.
Al-Hadlaq, S. M., et al. (2020). Prevalence and associated factors of neck pain among smartphone users.
Damasceno, G. M., et al. (2018). Text neck and neck pain in 18-21-year-old young adults.
Kim, S. Y., & Koo, T. K. (2016). Effect of duration of smartphone use on muscle fatigue and pain.
Lee, S., et al. (2015). The effect of smartphone usage time on posture in university students.
Xie, Y., et al. (2016). Neck muscle endurance and smartphone dependency in young adults.
Gustafsson, E., et al. (2017). Smartphone use and its relationship to musculoskeletal pain in university students.
Neupane, S., et al. (2014). Ergonomic awareness and its impact on neck pain in university students.
