Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aim
The adverse effects of
smartphone size and weight on the hand and hand
function have not been studied extensively. This
study aimed to investigate the changes to the
flexor pollicis longus tendon and median nerve
using diagnostic ultrasound for high and low
addiction smartphone users.
Methodology
In this cross-sectional study,
54 healthy male university students were divided
into two groups according to the Smartphone
Addiction Scale: high and low users. Demographic
data, hand grip strength (kg), pinch strength
(kg), and smartphone weight, length and width were
measured and recorded. Diagnostic ultrasound
examination determined the cross-sectional area of
the median nerve (mm
2
) and flexor
pollicis longus tendon (mm
2
) of the
dominant and non-dominant hand.
Result
The cross-sectional area of the
median nerve was significantly higher in the
high-user group (7.4±1.3 mm
2
) than the
low-user group (6.7±1.0 mm
2
). The
correlation of phone weight, length and width with
median nerve area was respectively positive,
higher and significant (0.718, 0.747, and 0.733;
p<0.05). The flexor pollicis longus tendon in
the mid-thenar region was moderately positively
correlated with phone length (0.430; p<0.02)
for high addiction smartphone users.
Conclusion
The findings of the current
study demonstrates that change to the median nerve
and flexor pollicis longus tendon, could be linked
to the width, weight and length of the smartphone
and high addiction.