Use of Smartphones as a Risk Factor for the Development of Morbidities in the Wrist and Fingers

Gonçalves, Ana Mariza dos Santos; Carmo, Vinícius José Guimarães do; Araújo, Letycia Monteiro Cavalcanti; Pereira, Taciane Machado de Melo

doi:10.1055/s-0042-1748766

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Sumário

Original Article • Rev Bras Ortop 58 (3) • May-Jun 2023 • https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1748766 copy

Use of Smartphones as a Risk Factor for the Development of Morbidities in the Wrist and Fingers^* * Study developed at Faculdade de Integração do Sertão (F¡S), Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil.

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the long-term use of smartphones as a risk factor for the development of morbidities in the wrist and fingers.

Methods

The present is a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach based on injury prevalence among one hundred smartphone users of a private university in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. We applied a semi-structured questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), as well as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Finkelstein, Phalen, reverse Phalen, and Tinel signal tests on the wrist.

Results

The average of the sample was of 22.73 years, with a prevalence of single, right-handed female participants. Most of them had been using smartphones for 5 to 10 years, and 85% reported discomfort in the wrist and fingers while using the device, with numbness as the most prevalent symptom. Most clinical tests were negative, and the Finklestein test showed greater positivity. The BCTQ is composed of a symptom severity scale (S scale) and a functional status scale (F scale): the overall score on the S scale was of 1.61, indicating mild to moderate symptoms, and the F scale revealed that the symptoms did not affect functionality.

Conclusion

There was a significant correlation between the length of use of smartphones and discomfort in the wrist and fingers; as such, smartphones are a risk factor for the development of morbidities.

mobile phones; wrist trauma; hand trauma; cumulative trauma disorders

Variables	Categories	n	%	Average	Standard deviation
Age		-	-	22.73 years	± 2.296
Gender	Female	69	69	-
Gender	Male	31	31		-
Dominant hand	Right	89	89	-
Dominant hand	Left	11	11		-

Variables	Categories	n	%
Time of use	5-10 years	57	57
	10-15 years	33	33
	More than 15 years	10	10
Time of daily use	More than 10 hours	28	28
	5-8 hours	28	28
	8-10 hours	19	19
	Other	25	25
Pauses during use	Up to 20 minutes	33	33
	30 minutes to 1 hour	27	27
	No pauses	22	22
	Other	18	18
Main activity performed	Typing	84	84
	Talking	8	8
	Other	8	8

Variables	Categories	n	%
How the smartphone is held	With the right hand	51	51
	With both hands	45	45
	With the left hand	4	4
How one types	With both hands	71	71
How one types	With asinglehand	29	29

Variables	Categories		n	%
Have you ever felt any discomfort during use?	Yes		85	85
Have you ever felt any discomfort during use?	No		15	15
Where?	Wrist		54	26.3
	Thumb		49	23.9
	Hand		28	13.7
	Forearm		20	9.8
	Other		54	26.3
Symptom	Numbness		43	30.7
	Tingling		34	24.3
	Pain		30	21.4
	Other		33	23.6
Visual Analog Scale	With pain - 24% (n = 24)	Moderate	13	54.2
	With pain - 24% (n = 24)	Mild	11	45.8
	No pain	-	76	76

Variable	Mean	Standard deviation
Overall average on the S scale	1.61	± 0.485
Average tingling score	1.68	± 0.657
Average pain score	1.65	± 0.560
Average weakness score	1.59	± 0.727
Average difficulty pickingupobjects	1.11	± 0.423

Variable	Mean	Standard deviation
Overall average on the F scale	1.43	± 0.493
Ability to carry grocery bags	1.63	± 0.816
Ability to hold the telephone	1.61	± 0.827
Ability to perform household work	1.60	± 0.912
Ability to open a glass jar	1.50	± 0.870
Ability to write	1.49	± 0.771
Ability to hold a book during reading	1.40	± 0.663
Ability to button up clothes	1.14	± 0.348
Ability to shower and get dressed	1.08	± 0.338

Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Al. Lorena, 427 14º andar, 01424-000 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel.: 55 11 2137-5400 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br

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[1] Address for correspondence Vinícius JoséGuimarãesdoCarmo, Praça Pires Ribeiro 61, Centro, São José do Belmonte, 56950-000, Pernambuco - PE, Brasil (e-mail: vinicius99guimaraes@gmail.com).

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Use of Smartphones as a Risk Factor for the Development of Morbidities in the Wrist and Fingers* * Study developed at Faculdade de Integração do Sertão (F¡S), Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Use of Smartphones as a Risk Factor for the Development of Morbidities in the Wrist and Fingers^* * Study developed at Faculdade de Integração do Sertão (F¡S), Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil.