Awareness of Text Neck Syndrome: Narrative Review

Text neck syndrome (TNS) is an emerging musculoskeletal condition caused by prolonged forward head posture during the use of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. With increasing global dependence on mobile technology, particularly among younger populations, TNS has become a growing public health concern. The condition manifests primarily as neck pain, headaches, shoulder stiffness, and postural deviations, often resulting from sustained neck flexion while using handheld devices. Prevalence rates vary but have been reported to affect over 60% of frequent smartphone users, with a significant proportion unaware of the syndrome or its preventive strategies. The focus of this was review explore the existing literature on the awareness of TNS, limitations in existing literature, suggestion for future research. Searched results from the databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, and Web of Science with keywords “Text Neck Syndrome,” “Awareness,” “Devices” and “Smartphone” limited to English articles. The duplicate studies were excluded. Furthermore, review examined the factors contributing to TNS were considered. After detailed reviewing of the existing researches, it can be concluded that TNS has a high prevalence globally; however, the literature on awareness of the condition is still sparse. To address these limitations, future research should adopt longitudinal designs, include objective diagnostic tools and broaden demographic representation. Educational and ergonomic interventions targeting high-risk groups are critical in enhancing the awareness and reducing the burden of TNS. Promoting early recognition and prevention remains vital in mitigating long-term musculoskeletal complications.