Text neck syndrome in undergraduate health science students from a university in the Western Cape: A crosssectional study

Abstract

Cell phones are indispensable tools for the student population. Excessive exposure to these devices could lead to postural deformities that cause pain and decrease students’ quality of life. Secondary musculoskeletal pain due to text neck, a repeated stress injury sustained from excessive texting on handheld devices for long periods of time, could negatively impact the academic performance of university students. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of text neck syndrome and its relationship with pain and functional impairment, the degree of cellphone addiction as well as to explore the perceptions regarding the prevention and management of text neck syndrome in undergraduate health science students from a university in the Western Cape.