Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Sep 7:35:37-44.
doi: 10.1016/j.hkpj.2016.06.001. eCollection 2016 Dec.

Exercise training and postural correction improve upper extremity symptoms among touchscreen smartphone users

Abeer Ahmed Abdelhameed  1   2 , Amr Almaz Abdel-Aziem  3
Affiliations

Exercise training and postural correction improve upper extremity symptoms among touchscreen smartphone users

Abeer Ahmed Abdelhameed et al. Hong Kong Physiother J. .

Abstract

Background: Repetitive movements and poor posture are associated with over-use of smartphones when texting or playing games and significantly contribute to the symptoms of pain and discomfort in the upper extremities.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of exercise training and postural correction on disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH), hand grip and key pinch strength among smartphone users.

Methods: One hundred university students were randomly divided into two groups; the experimental group participated in a 12-week programme of exercise training and postural corrections. The control group were instructed to follow their usual routine for smartphone utilization. Measurements of DASH scores, hand grip strength, and key pinch grip strength were conducted before and after 12 weeks for both groups.

Results: There were no significant differences between the start values of both groups for DASH scores, hand grip strength, and key pinch strength (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant improvement in all outcomes measured in the experimental group (p < 0.05), with significant changes in the outcomes of the control group.

Conclusion: Postural correction combined with a selected exercise training programme improved the hand grip, key pinch grip strength, and upper extremity disability and symptoms associated with smartphone use among university students.

Keywords: exercise training; hand grip; smartphone; upper extremity symptoms.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT diagram of the study. DASH = disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Berolo S, Wells RP, Amick BC. Musculoskeletal symptoms among mobile hand-held device users and their relationship to device use: a preliminary study in a Canadian university population. Appl Ergon 2011;42:371–378. - PubMed
    1. Kim GY, Ahn CS, Jeon HW, Lee CR. Effects of the use of smartphones on pain and muscle fatigue in the upper extremity. J Phys Ther Sci 2012;24:1255–1258.
    1. Gustafsson E, Johnson PW, Hagberg M. Thumb postures and physical loads during mobile phone use – a comparison of young adults with and without musculoskeletal symptoms. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2010;20:127–135. - PubMed
    1. Kleinert CM. Trapezio-metacarpal arthritis: the price of an opposable thumb. Indian J Plast Surg 2011;44:308–316. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Chany M, Marras WS, Burr DL. The effect of phone design on upper extremity discomfort and muscle fatigue. Hum Factors 2007;49:602–618. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources