A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Combined Supervised Exercise on Pain of Text Neck Syndrome Among Adults in a Selected College at Trivandrum


Authors : Devu Krishna B. S.; Blessy U.

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/33xn63x4

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/bdhnb2wm

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec1218

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Text neck syndrome, also known as “tech neck,” is an emerging musculoskeletal condition increasingly prevalent among young adults due to prolonged forward-head posture while using smartphones and other digital devices. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of combined supervised exercise on pain associated with text neck syndrome among adults in a selected college in Trivandrum. A quantitative research approach with a time-series research design was adopted. The sample consisted of 60 students aged 18–35 years, selected using non-probability purposive sampling, and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received combined supervised exercises, while the control group continued their routine activities. Pain scores were recorded at four intervals—Day 1 (pre-test), Day 7, Day 14, and Day 21— using the NPNPQ. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in mean pain scores in the experimental group from 21.80 ± 4.21 in the pre-test to 11.60 ± 3.58 on Day 21, with repeated measures ANOVA showing a significant time effect (F = 58.72, p < 0.001), while the control group showed minimal improvement. Post hoc Bonferroni analysis confirmed significant pairwise differences between all time points. A significant association was also found between pain level and duration of gadget use. The study concluded that combined supervised exercise is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain associated with text neck syndrome among young adults and can be incorporated into student wellness programs to mitigate the growing burden of technology-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords : Text Neck Syndrome, Combined Supervised Exercise, Neck Pain.

References :

  1. Keller, A., & Goyal, A. (2022). Prevalence of text-neck syndrome and its association with smartphone use among medical students in India. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 11(1), 245. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1506_21
  2. AlAbdulwahab, S. S., & Kachanathu, S. J. (2024). Smartphone addiction and its impact on neck disability and posture among university students: A systematic review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-06211-2
  3. Subramani, P., & D’Souza, J. (2024). Prevalence of neck pain associated with prolonged smartphone usage among college students in India: A cross-sectional review. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 15(3), 120–126.
  4. Misra, S., & Rani, S. (2025). Digital device overuse and musculoskeletal symptoms among young adults: An emerging public health concern. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 19(2), OC14–OC19.
  5. Ghanem, I., & Khamis, S. (2023). Forward-head posture and neck pain related to smartphone use: A review of biomechanical effects and exercise interventions. Physiotherapy Research International, 28(1), e1967. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1967
  6. Kamaraj, N., et al. (2022). Prevalence of text neck syndrome among undergraduate medical students and its association with electronic gadget use. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 9(7), 2919-2922.
  7. Aswini, G. (2025). Prevalence of text neck syndrome among university students. International Archives of Public Health. (Indian study reporting ~42.5% prevalence).
  8. Lippincott Journals
  9. Unnamed authors (Year). Prevalence of text neck syndrome and associated neck dysfunction among medical students. PMC. (31.7% prevalence).

Text neck syndrome, also known as “tech neck,” is an emerging musculoskeletal condition increasingly prevalent among young adults due to prolonged forward-head posture while using smartphones and other digital devices. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of combined supervised exercise on pain associated with text neck syndrome among adults in a selected college in Trivandrum. A quantitative research approach with a time-series research design was adopted. The sample consisted of 60 students aged 18–35 years, selected using non-probability purposive sampling, and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received combined supervised exercises, while the control group continued their routine activities. Pain scores were recorded at four intervals—Day 1 (pre-test), Day 7, Day 14, and Day 21— using the NPNPQ. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in mean pain scores in the experimental group from 21.80 ± 4.21 in the pre-test to 11.60 ± 3.58 on Day 21, with repeated measures ANOVA showing a significant time effect (F = 58.72, p < 0.001), while the control group showed minimal improvement. Post hoc Bonferroni analysis confirmed significant pairwise differences between all time points. A significant association was also found between pain level and duration of gadget use. The study concluded that combined supervised exercise is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain associated with text neck syndrome among young adults and can be incorporated into student wellness programs to mitigate the growing burden of technology-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords : Text Neck Syndrome, Combined Supervised Exercise, Neck Pain.

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - January - 2026

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