Correlation of smartphone addiction with functional activities of upper extremity and grip strength in allied health students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33897/fujrs.v6i2.595Keywords:
Hand strength, muscle strength dynamometer, smartphone, undergraduate medical education, upper extremityAbstract
Background: In Pakistan, there are approximately 188.9 million smartphone users. Smartphone addiction involves excessive use along with functional impairment and withdrawal symptoms.
Objective: To determine the correlation of smartphone addiction with functional activities of upper extremity and grip strength in allied health students.
Methods: This correlational study (UHS/UERC-25/SEC/13) had a sample of 85 students who were selected from Undergraduate Allied Health Program from Jinnah Campus of UHS Lahore. Total duration of study was 6 months from April-September 2025. Data regarding smartphone addiction, functional activities of upper extremity and grip strength was obtained by using Smartphone Addiction Scale- Short Version (SAS-SV), Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) and dynamometer respectively. The data was analyzed through IBM SPSS 27.0
Results: The study comprised of 15 (17.65%) males and 70 (82.35%) females with a mean age of 21.60±1.80. There was a significant correlation between smartphone addiction and upper extremity functioning with inverse relationship (p= 0.005, r= -0.301). A significant strong correlation was found between upper extremity functioning and grip strength of right hand (p= 0.001, r= 0.524) and left hand (p= 0.001, r= 0.539). No significant correlation was found between smart phone addiction and grip strength of the right (p= 0.493, r= 0.075) and the left hand (p= 0.804, r= 0.027).
Conclusion: There was a significant correlation of smartphone addiction with functional activities of upper extremity in allied health students with inverse relationship. There was no correlation between smartphone addiction and grip strength. There was a strong significant correlation of upper extremity function with grip strength in allied health students.
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