Prevalence of Text Neck Syndrome and Its Associated Risk Factor among College Students

Abstract

Background: Text neck syndrome is a modern condition arising from prolonged use of handheld digital devices, particularly in poor postural alignment. With increased screen time among college students, the risk of developing associated neck pain and postural deviations has become a growing concern.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of text neck syndrome and its associated risk factors among college students aged 18–24 years.

 Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 students using both subjective and objective outcome measures. TNS symptoms assessed through questionnaire; The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and associated factor such as pain disability were used to assess functional disability and smartphone dependency, respectively. Objective assessments included craniovertebral angle (CVA) and Sagittal tilt, measured through photographic postural analysis.

Results: The NDI results indicated 21% had no disability, 49% mild, 22% moderate, and 8% severe disability. NMP-Q scores revealed 26% mild, 59% moderate, and 15% severe nomophobia. The mean scores were 22.51 for NDI, 75.12 for NMP-Q, 26.18° for Sagittal tilt, and 55.44° for CVA. Although questionnaire data showed a significant prevalence of mild to moderate text neck symptoms, postural angles remained largely within normal ranges, indicating minimal structural change. The study shows the prevalence of 27.25% of participants present with TNS.

Conclusion: A prevalence of text neck-related symptoms exists among college students, primarily affecting the pain intensity and disability. However, major postural deviations have not yet been observed, highlighting the need for early preventive strategies to mitigate long-term musculoskeletal consequences.