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COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRETCHING VS SHOULDER SHRUGGING EXERCISES ON PAIN, AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN SMARTPHONE USERS

Sadia Ghafoor, Faiza Azam, Ali Raza, Subhan-ur-Rehman Burki, Sheza Asif, Hafiz Ali Bin Asim, Waqas Hanif

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ABSTRACT

Background: Mobile phone users often adopt awkward forward neck flexion postures, leading to neck pain and chronic musculoskeletal issues. This posture can lead to distraction forces, potential instability, and impaired joint position sense. Factors like lack of physical activity, computer use, and female gender can also contribute to neck and back pain syndromes. Objective: the aim of this study is to compare and analyze the effective exercise protocol between stretching and shoulder-shrugging exercises on neck pain and disability in mobile phone users. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used in this study involving 30 patients aged 18-30 with neck pain, and without radiculopathy. The study was conducted in both public and private sectors, with purposive sampling and exclusion criteria for spine fractures, osteoporosis, and spine-related infections. Group A received stretching exercises and electrotherapy, and group B was given shoulder-shrugging exercises with electrotherapy. Results: The study compared pain levels and neck disability in two groups, Group A and Group B. Results showed significant improvements in pain levels and neck function, with Group A showing superior pain relief, but no significant differences in NDI scores. Conclusion: Research shows stretching and shoulder-shrugging exercises effectively reduce pain and improve functional disability in smartphone users. Regular stretching improves flexibility, relieves muscle tension, and enhances functionality.

Keywords: smartphone, shoulder exercises, neck disability index, neck pain