Smartphone addiction and chronic spinal pain among university students: A cross-sectional study

Current smartphones are highly versatile, and their use is embedded in people’s daily lives, particularly in university students. Their overuse seems not to be harmless, being associated with adverse effects, including musculoskeletal dysfunction. Moreover, chronic spinal pain (CSP) is increasing among university students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-reported smartphone addiction (SA) and CSP among university students and analyze the association between both. A cross-sectional study was performed. Data were obtained from a sample of university students through an online self-reported questionnaire, which included the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version, the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, the Neck Disability Index, and the Oswestry Disability Index. Of 465 students who responded, 31% showed SA, and 26% reported CSP. Students with SA evidenced a greater prevalence of neck, thoracic, and low back pain, when compared to university students without addiction. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between SA and CSP (OR=2.48, CI 95%=1.55-3.98). However, longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal relationships. This study concludes that SA and CSP are both prevalent among university students, and their association should be further analyzed and considered in preventive measures.