Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study

Selkin Yılmaz Muluk; Sevtap Badil Güloğlu; Begüm Yılmaz

Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the association between daily smartphone screen time (DSST) and nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) and to evaluate its relationship with pain intensity and disability. Methods: This age- and sex-matched case-control study included 128 participants (64 NSNP, 64 controls). DSST was obtained from device-based records. Pain intensity and disability were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Results: DSST did not differ between the NSNP and control groups and was not associated with NSNP in either continuous or categorical analyses. No significant relationship was found between DSST and pain intensity, disability, or pain duration. In contrast, heavy lifting and desk-based work were independently associated with NSNP. Younger age was associated with higher screen exposure. Conclusion: Daily smartphone use duration was not associated with the presence or severity of NSNP. Occupational and ergonomic factors appear to play a more important role. Preventive and therapeutic strategies should therefore prioritize biomechanical and workplace-related risk factors rather than focusing solely on-screen time. Additionally, given the higher levels of smartphone use observed in younger individuals, attention should be directed toward potential long-term health implications, including problematic use and related adverse outcomes, and early preventive strategies should be considered.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Not applicable.

Ethical Statement

This study has been approved by the Scientific Researches Evaluation and Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health Antalya City Hospital (Date: 14.05.2026, Decision No.: 24/228).

Thanks

Not applicable.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pain, Physiotherapy, Digital Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Selkin Yılmaz Muluk ^*
0009-0004-8147-938X
Türkiye

Sevtap Badil Güloğlu
0000-0003-4872-7519
Türkiye

Begüm Yılmaz
0009-0002-3925-537X
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 20, 2026

Submission Date

June 4, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Yılmaz Muluk, S., Badil Güloğlu, S., & Yılmaz, B. (2026). Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(4), 1156-1161. https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW

AMA

1.Yılmaz Muluk S, Badil Güloğlu S, Yılmaz B. Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(4):1156-1161. https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW

Chicago

Yılmaz Muluk, Selkin, Sevtap Badil Güloğlu, and Begüm Yılmaz. 2026. “Association Between Daily Smartphone Screen Time and Nonspecific Neck Pain: An Age- and Sex-Matched Case-Control Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (4): 1156-61. https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW.

EndNote

Yılmaz Muluk S, Badil Güloğlu S, Yılmaz B (July 1, 2026) Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 4 1156–1161.

IEEE

[1]S. Yılmaz Muluk, S. Badil Güloğlu, and B. Yılmaz, “Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 1156–1161, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW

ISNAD

Yılmaz Muluk, Selkin - Badil Güloğlu, Sevtap - Yılmaz, Begüm. “Association Between Daily Smartphone Screen Time and Nonspecific Neck Pain: An Age- and Sex-Matched Case-Control Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/4 (July 1, 2026): 1156-1161. https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW.

JAMA

1.Yılmaz Muluk S, Badil Güloğlu S, Yılmaz B. Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:1156–1161.

MLA

Yılmaz Muluk, Selkin, et al. “Association Between Daily Smartphone Screen Time and Nonspecific Neck Pain: An Age- and Sex-Matched Case-Control Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 4, July 2026, pp. 1156-61, https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW.

Vancouver

1.Selkin Yılmaz Muluk, Sevtap Badil Güloğlu, Begüm Yılmaz. Association between daily smartphone screen time and nonspecific neck pain: an age- and sex-matched case-control study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;9(4):1156-61. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA27YD35DW