IZHAM ZAIN1*, THAM SZE KEI1

Author

1 Physiotherapy Department, School of Health Sciences, KPJ Healthcare University College, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Corresponding Author:

1* Physiotherapy Department, School of Health Sciences, KPJ Healthcare University College, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.Email: izham@kpjuc.edu.my

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Smartphone is ubiquitous in this digital era and the remarkably evolved of technologies is an evident of heavy usage of such gadget in daily life. Recent evidence indicate that there is significant association between upper arm discomfort and smart phone user. However, there is limited finding on the smart phone addiction on upper body discomfort. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate level of smartphone addiction among Kuala Lumpur young adults.

Methods: This is a cross sectional analytical type of study. Self-administer questionnaire is used to determine the level of smartphone addiction level and body discomfort.

Results: A total of 290 subjects (80.7% females and 19.3% males) are involve in this study. Majority of respondents (69.7%) suffer mild smartphone addiction and there is significant association with neck and shoulder discomfort (p<0.05). Respondent’s belief that the discomfort experience were due to prolonged smartphone usage (74.1%).   Furthermore, 84.5% of respondents noted that discomfort experienced was relieved when not using smartphone. There is significant differences between between time spent on smartphone with age categories, gender, occupation and smartphone addiction level (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Time spent on smartphone is consistent to smartphone addiction level. A higher level of smartphone addiction will increase the risk in developing upper body discomfort.

Keywords: Smartphone Addiction, upper body, Young Adults.