RELATION BETWEEN CERVICAL MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME AND THE USE OF SMARTPHONES IN PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS

M.G. Trejo Yañez¹, L. Vera Mendieta¹, S.M. Chávez Monjarás¹, A.G. Morales Hernández¹, Á.S. Xeque Morales¹, I. Cruz¹

¹Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Facultad de Enfermería, Querétaro, Mexico

Background: The myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a skeletal muscle condition, caused by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrP), generates sensory, motor and autonomic signs and symptoms; it can be developed due to sustained postures or repetitive movements; this could become very limiting for the functionality of those who suffer from it. Besides, some studies have suggested that the use of smartphones may represent a risk factor for developing it, due to increased cervical tilt angle during long periods of time.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the relation between the presence of cervical MPS and the use of smartphones in physiotherapy students at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. The hypothesis was that the cervical MPS is related to the prolonged use of smartphones, greater the number of hours and cervical tilt angle, greater the presence of signs and symptoms of MPS.

Methods: This investigation was a quantitative approach, correlational scope; the study population were students from 1st to 8th semester, enrolled in July - December period of 2021; the sample size was 64 subjects (20.3% of the population) who met inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent, chosen through non-probabilistic sampling, due to sanitary conditions of COVID-19. The time of use of smartphones were measured during 2 weeks, the cervical tilt angle and arcs of motion with digital goniometer, the muscle strength through isometry with PrimusRS BTE device, presence of MTrPs with palpation and pain using the visual analog pain scale (VAS). Data processing was performed with the SPSS V20 program, using Pearson's Chi² statistic test.

Results: It was recorded that most students use their smartphone for 6.2+/-2 hours daily, and 92.2% with an angle greater than the recommended (15°). Also, most of them had cervical flexion limited (60.9%); only 34.4% had weakness in cervical extensors, 75% had cervical pain and 46.9% had MPS. Besides, the percentage of participants with limitations at cervical flexion and pain grows with the time of use of smartphones. Additionally, the ones whose use was more than 3 hours had weakness at cervical flexor muscles. Finally, no relation was found between cervical tilt angle and time of use with the presence of MPS.

Conclusions: Based on the results using Chi² statistic test, no relation was found between the cervical tilt angle and the time of use of smartphones with the presence of cervical MPS, as had been implied in the hypothesis. For future research, it's suggested to use a larger sample and consider other factors involved.

Implications: However, there was data that called attention, such as the high percentage of students with pain and limited range of motion. Likewise, the highest frequency of students used their smartphone for more than 6 hours and that the neck flexion of the majority was greater than 15º. The current dependence on smartphones is inevitable due to lifestyles and facilities provided by it, for this reason, it’s important that the risks to physical health caused by improper use be known.

Funding acknowledgements: Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ) provided the installations and material. No direct funding was received for this study.

Keywords:
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)
Smartphone
Posture

Topics:
Musculoskeletal: spine
Occupational health & ergonomics

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Autonomous University of Querétaro

Committee: H. FEN-UAQ Ethics Committee

Ethics number: 002-2021-LF