Association of mobile gaming addiction with musculoskeletal pain among medical students in Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study authors

Mobile gaming has become increasingly prevalent globally, with gaming disorder now recognised as a behavioural addiction by the World Health Organization. Medical students represent a particularly vulnerable population for gaming addiction due to high academic stress, demanding schedules, and extensive mobile device use for both educational and recreational purposes. Despite growing concerns, the relationship between mobile gaming addiction and musculoskeletal (MSK) pain remains understudied among medical students in Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This study aimed to association of mobile game addiction with musculoskeletal pain among medical students of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: ; This cross-sectional study enrolled 319 medical students from a Saudi Arabian medical college. Data were collected using validated instruments including the Game Addiction Scale and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Participants were stratified into gamers ( n = 196) and non-gamers ( n = 123). Chi-square tests applied to compared pain prevalence between groups, while multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of musculoskeletal pain, adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and physical activity. Mobile gamers comprised 61.4% of participants. Musculoskeletal pain prevalence was significantly higher among gamers (49.0%) versus non-gamers (5%) ( p < 0.001). Neck pain was the most common complaint (37.8%), followed by elbow (30.6%) and shoulder pain (28.6%). Moderate addiction (adjusted OR = 3.12, 95%CI: 2.91–3.35) and high-risk gaming posture (adjusted OR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.71–1.97) were the strongest predictors of pain. Regular exercise demonstrated protective effects (adjusted OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.65–0.75). Mobile gaming addiction is strongly associated with musculoskeletal pain among medical students, particularly affecting the neck and upper extremities. Gaming addiction severity and poor posture are significant modifiable risk factors. Interventions targeting ergonomic education, posture modification, and physical activity promotion are urgently needed to address this emerging public health concern in medical student populations.