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Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin 2021; 31(06): 360-366
DOI: 10.1055/a-1506-3182
Original Article

Influence of Smartphone Overuse on Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, and Cross-Sectional Area of Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon and Median Nerve

Einfluss des Übergebrauchs des Smartphones auf die Griffkraft, Fähigkeit des Kneifens und die Querschnittsfläche der Sehne des Flexor Pollicis Longus und des N. medianus
Paul Silvian Samuel 
1   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA, Saudi Arabia
,
Khalid A Alahmari
1   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA, Saudi Arabia
,
Mohamed Adam
2   Department of Radiology, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA, Saudi Arabia
,
Ravi Shankar Reddy 
1   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA, Saudi Arabia
,
Irshad Ahmad
3   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi
3   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Kanagaraj Rengaramanujam
3   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Jaya Shanker Tedla 
3   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Almohiy Hussein
2   Department of Radiology, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA, Saudi Arabia
,
Mastour Saeed Alshahrani
3   Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
› Author Affiliations Funding: This paper was funded by the deanship of scientific research, King Khalid University, Abha, KSA with the fund number RGP.2/64/42
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Abstract

Background and Aim The adverse effects of smartphone size and weight on the hand and hand function have not been studied extensively. This study aimed to investigate the changes to the flexor pollicis longus tendon and median nerve using diagnostic ultrasound for high and low addiction smartphone users.

Methodology In this cross-sectional study, 54 healthy male university students were divided into two groups according to the Smartphone Addiction Scale: high and low users. Demographic data, hand grip strength (kg), pinch strength (kg), and smartphone weight, length and width were measured and recorded. Diagnostic ultrasound examination determined the cross-sectional area of the median nerve (mm2) and flexor pollicis longus tendon (mm2) of the dominant and non-dominant hand.

Result The cross-sectional area of the median nerve was significantly higher in the high-user group (7.4±1.3 mm2) than the low-user group (6.7±1.0 mm2). The correlation of phone weight, length and width with median nerve area was respectively positive, higher and significant (0.718, 0.747, and 0.733; p<0.05). The flexor pollicis longus tendon in the mid-thenar region was moderately positively correlated with phone length (0.430; p<0.02) for high addiction smartphone users.

Conclusion The findings of the current study demonstrates that change to the median nerve and flexor pollicis longus tendon, could be linked to the width, weight and length of the smartphone and high addiction.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund und Ziel Die nachteiligen Auswirkungen der Größe und des Gewichts des Smartphones auf die Hand und die Handfunktion wurden nicht ausführlich untersucht. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Veränderungen der Sehne des Flexor Pollicis Longus und des Nervus medianus mithilfe von diagnostischem Ultraschall für Smartphone-Benutzer mit hoher und niedriger Nutzungsdauer zu untersuchen.

Methodik In dieser Querschnittsstudie wurden 54 gesunde männliche Universitätsstudenten gemäß der Smartphone-Sucht-Skala in zwei Gruppen eingeteilt: hohe und niedrige Benutzer. Demografische Daten, Handgriffstärke (kg), Quetschfestigkeit (kg) sowie Gewicht, Länge und Breite des Smartphones wurden gemessen und aufgezeichnet. Die diagnostische Ultraschalluntersuchung bestimmte die Querschnittsfläche des Nervus medianus (mm2) und der Sehne des Flexor pollicis longus (mm2) der dominanten und nicht dominanten Hand.

Ergebnis Die Querschnittsfläche des N. medianus war in der High-User-Gruppe (7,4±1,3 mm2) signifikant höher als in der Low-User-Gruppe (6,7±1,0 mm2). Die Korrelation von Telefongewicht, Länge und Breite mit dem mittleren Nervenbereich war jeweils positiv, höher und signifikant (0,718, 0,747 und 0,733; p <0,05). Die Sehne des Flexor pollicis longus im mittleren Bereich korrelierte mäßig positiv mit der Telefonlänge (0,430; p <0,02) für Smartphone-Nutzer mit hoher Sucht.

Fazit Die Ergebnisse der aktuellen Studie zeigen, dass eine Veränderung der Sehne des Nervus. medianus und des Flexor pollicis longus mit der Breite, dem Gewicht und der Länge des Smartphones und einer hohen Nutzungsdauer verbunden sein könnte.

Key words

Smartphone - Addiction - Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon - Median Nerve - Ultrasound.

Schlüsselwörter

Smartphone - Sucht - Flexor pollicis longus-Sehne - Nervus medianus - Ultraschall


Publication History

Received: 27 January 2021

Accepted: 04 May 2021

Article published online:
27 July 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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