Association between mobile smartphone addiction on handgrip strength and its impact on oral hygiene: A correlational study

Background and Objective: The use of smartphones has increased worldwide, and its associated detrimental effects on humans are also increasing along with it. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that smartphone addiction impacts handgrip strength and oral hygiene. Methodology: A cross-sectional study consisting of 130 participants using mobile smartphones who met the eligibility criteria was conducted. The eligible participants were categorized into two groups ( n = 65 each): high users (Group A) and low users (Group B), based on the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Handgrip strength was assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer, and oral health status was assessed using the plaque index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 20.0, and an independent t -test was used to compare the groups. Results: The study revealed that the mean handgrip strength in Group A was 19.71 ± 5.08 kg, whereas in Group B, the mean score was 22.49 ± 7.44 kg, and the mean plaque score in Group A was 1.28 ± 0.4, and in Group B, it was 1.22 ± 0.5. Conclusion: This study concluded that low smartphone users had better handgrip strength in contrast to high users, and no association was seen on oral hygiene in both the groups.