Association of smartphone overuse and neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Smartphone overuse is associated with both psychological and physical health problems, including depression and musculoskeletal disorders. However, the association between smartphone overuse and neck pain remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis to examine the relation between smartphone overuse and neck pain, and to identify high-risk usage patterns.Methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for relevant studies published up to 16 August 2023, using keywords including "smartphone" and "neck pain". Prospective, retrospective, and case-controlled studies assessing the correlation between smartphone overuse and neck pain were eligible. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Meta-regression and sensitivity analysis using the leave-one-out approach were performed to test the robustness of the results (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024599227).Results Seven retrospective studies including 10 715 participants were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The mean age of the participants ranged from 19.9 to 42.9 years. The meta-analysis revealed that compared to participants without smartphone overuse, those who overused a smartphone had a significantly higher risk of neck pain (pooled adjusted odds ratio = 2.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.44-3.82).Conclusions These results indicate a significant association between smartphone overuse and increased risk of neck pain. Our findings underscore the necessity of addressing smartphone overuse as a health concern, especially considering its growing prevalence in modern society. Key message What is already known on this topic Smartphone overuse has been associated with various health issues, including musculoskeletal disorders. However, the link between excessive smartphone use and neck pain remains controversial, with previous studies producing mixed results. What this study adds This meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between smartphone overuse and an increased risk of neck pain. The study highlights the necessity of addressing smartphone overuse as a public health concern. How this study might affect research, practice or policy These findings could influence public health campaigns, emphasizing the importance of ergonomics and controlled smartphone usage. This study may also guide future research in establishing preventive measures and policy interventions to mitigate the health risks associated with smartphone overuse.