Abstract

Background: Smartphones have been the most popular electronic devices, especially among the young population. Smartphones are used for multi-purposes including communication, music, media, internet access, games, some applications, and professional fields. Using the smartphone frequently forces the users to adopt an awkward posture leading to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders and pain.
Purpose: To determine the effect of smartphone use on Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and the level of upper limb function.
Materials and Methods: Sixty adolescents of both sexes were enrolled in this study, their ages ranged from 14 to 18 years. They were assigned into two groups of equal numbers; Group (A) using smartphone less than 4 hours/day and group (B) usingsmartphone more than 4 hours per/day. The kinovea software program was used to detect the craniovertebral angle and theQuick-DASH questionnaire was used to measure the level of function of upper extremity.
Result: The study findings, revealed a statistically significant differences in all measured variables of groups A and B (p < .05). High significant difference was observed in group B when comparing the findings of groups, A and B (p < .05).
Conclusion: the overuse of smartphones has a negative effect on craniovertebral angle, and level of the upper extremities function.