Abstract :
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of smartphone usage with mental health, neck pain, and sleep quality among final-year undergraduate Physical Therapy students in Peshawar.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate Physical Therapy students from multiple institutions, including MMI, SHS, IHS, NCS, and KMU IPMR. Ethical approval was obtained from the Graduate Committee and concerned departments prior to data collection. After obtaining informed consent, participants completed a structured self-administered questionnaire that evaluated smartphone usage patterns, neck-related musculoskeletal symptoms, sleep quality, and mental health indicators. Statistical analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between the duration of smartphone use and the health outcomes studied.
Results: The results demonstrated a significant association between prolonged smartphone usage and the occurrence of neck pain among students. Increased smartphone use was also linked with poor sleep quality and negative mental health outcomes, including higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety. Further analysis based on age and gender distribution provided additional insight into the impact of excessive smartphone use within this academic population.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that extensive smartphone usage is associated with both physical discomfort and psychological distress among Physical Therapy students. These results highlights the importance of promoting ergonomic awareness and digital well-being strategies within healthcare education settings to reduce potential long-term health consequences among this population.