Cross-Sectional Survey on the Association Between Prolonged Screen Use and Lumbar Mobility Restriction Among Undergraduate Physical Therapy Students With Screen-Associated Postural Dysfunction (Sapd) in Quetta, Balochistan

BACKGROUND: University students have been increasing their screen time and this could potentially lead to increased sedentary time, postural changes and reduced lumbar mobility. However, there is considerable exposure to screens in the academic, clinical and recreational activities of undergraduate physical therapy students, and few studies have investigated the limitation of lumbar spine mobility in physical therapy students with Screen-Associated Postural Dysfunction (SAPD). Objective: To compare the lumbar mobility of high screen use and low screen use groups, to find the common patterns of SAPD and to find the correlation between the duration of screen use and severity of lumbar mobility restriction among undergraduate physical therapy students with SAPD of Quetta, Balochistan. METHODS: This was an analytical cross section study with purposeful sampling of population of undergraduate physical therapy students who have Screen-Associated Postural Dysfunction (SAPD). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with demographic questions, an adapted self-reported Screen Time Questionnaire (QueST) and a Visual Postural Observation Checklist based on the Observational Static Posture Assessment Tool (OSPAT). Cronbach's alpha was used to test the internal consistency of the six item screen time questionnaire, which was good (α = 0.832). The Modified Schober Test was applied objectively as well as relevant statistical analyzes. RESULTS: Thirty two students were physiotherapy undergraduates. Most of the participants were female (61.6%), third year (28.8%) and age 20 (18.0%). 33.4% said they used screens between 4-6 hours daily and 24.1% used screens more than 6 hours daily. The percentages of participants saying they use screens, play video games and use social media for three to six hours were 46.7%, 47.7% and 45.8%, respectively. 60.4% said they took breaks in posture every 30-60 minutes, whereas 47.4% said they would sit straight for 1-2 hours at a time. MST classification was significantly correlated with head position (χ² = 25.246, p < 0.001), shoulder position (χ² = 26.528, p < 0.001), lumbar spine posture (χ² = 15.885, p = 0.014), and pelvic tilt (χ² = 28.781, p < 0.001). There were no significant correlations between leg position (χ² = 6.167, p = 0.405). There was a weak correlation between Cramér's V and posture of the lumbar spine (0.157), pelvic tilt (0.211), head position (0.198) and shoulder position (0.203). PUBLISHED MATERIAL: Sedentary behavior, Lumbar mobility, Lumbar flexion, screen time, screen-associated postural dysfunction, postural assessment, modified Schober test and undergraduate physical therapy students.