The purpose of this study is to investigate the screen time inclination and its accompanying visual and musculoskeletal discomfort in young smartphone users. Thirty-one smartphone users aged between 20 - 30 years old were recruited through convenient sampling. The screen time patterns were recorded daily for a week and documented using Action Dash on Google Play Store according to the times of the day (morning, afternoon evening and night). Accompanying visual and musculoskeletal symptoms were examined through a self-reporting questionnaire survey. The questions used in the questionnaire were adapted and modified from the Asthenopia Questionnaire and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results showed that young smartphone users spent approximately 30 % of their time on screen and were relatively similar for different times of the day. Daily screen time was approximately 7.36 ± 1.74 h. Most users engaged in WhatsApp (74 %), followed by YouTube (68 %), Instagram (65 %) and Twitter (39 %). Tired eyes were reported by all smartphone users. A positive correlation was only found between weekly screen time and eye strain (p < 0.05). All musculoskeletal symptoms were self-reported by young smartphone users in our study but anatomical locations varied in percentages. Neck pain was the most significant musculoskeletal symptom associated with screen time (OR = 4.80, 95 % CI: 0.95 - 24.14, p < 0.05). Every smartphone user reported at least 1 type of visual symptom. All smartphone users reported tired eyes. In conclusion, our results showed that smartphone users spent one third of their time daily on-screen and mostly on social media. Tired eyes and neck pain were the most common accompanying symptoms. Visuo-skeletal symptoms are common among young and healthy smartphone users. Our findings advocate that future strategic plans to address digital related health problems from the perspective of health education, promotion and protection should be inclusive of youth. HIGHLIGHTS Excessive screen time is a public health concern Adverse health implications have been linked to excessive electronic usage Smartphone users spend one-third of their time daily on-screen and mostly on social media Visuo-skeletal symptoms are common among young and healthy smartphone users Tired eyes and neck pain are the most common accompanying symptoms GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Environmental influence is one of the attributing factors for health status. Chronic interaction with electronic display technology and lack of outdoor activities might lead to health issues. Given the concerns about the digital impact on lifestyle and health challenges, we aimed to investigate the daily activity inclination and health complaints among the Malaysian youth. A self-administered questionnaire covering lifestyle and health challenges was completed by 220 youths aged between 16 and 25. There were a total of 22 questions. Seven questions inspected the patterns of indoor and outdoor activities. Fifteen questions focused on the visual and musculoskeletal symptoms linked to both mental and physical health. The total time spent indoors (15.0 ± 5.4 hours/day) was significantly higher than that spent outdoors (2.5 ± 2.6 hours/day) (t = 39.01, p < 0.05 ). Total time engrossed in sedentary activities (13.0 ± 4.5 hours/day) was significantly higher than that in nonsedentary activities (4.5 ± 3.8 hours/day) comprised of indoor sports and any outdoor engagements (t = 27.10, p < 0.05 ). The total time spent on electronic related activities (9.5 ± 3.7 hours/day) was were higher than time spent on printed materials (3.4 ± 1.6 hours/day) (t = 26.01, p < 0.05 ). The association of sedentary activities was positive in relation to tired eyes (χ2 = 17.58, p < 0.05 ), sensitivity to bright light (χ2 = 12.10, p < 0.05 ), and neck pain (χ2 = 17.27, p < 0.05 ) but negative in relation to lower back pain (χ2 = 8.81, p < 0.05 ). Our youth spent more time in building and engaged in sedentary activities, predominantly electronic usage. The health-related symptoms, both visual and musculoskeletal symptoms, displayed a positive association with a sedentary lifestyle and a negative association with in-building time.
This study aims to compare the accommodation microfluctuation before and after 5 mins of digital reading in the dark with night shift mode. Nineteen subjects were recruited using convenient sampling and a crossover design was used to compare the accommodation microfluctuations two viewing conditions. There was no significant difference in accommodation microfluctuations before and after 5-minute reading with night shift mode and without night shift mode. The insignificant findings in the accommodation microfluctuation comparison seemed to suggest that Night Shift Mode did not display as an advantage in controlling accommodation. Keywords: Digital eye strain, accommodation microfluctuations, digital reading, night shift mode. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI3.2568
Contrast sensitivity function was believed can be enhanced by wearing amber tinted lenses. However the increment varied with respect to significant diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess contrast sensitivity with and without wearing amber lens between youth hockey player and non-hockey player. Preliminary examination was done to assess on refractive status and ocular health among eighty healthy male subject aged between 13 to 16 years old where they were divided into youth hockey player (n=40) and non-hockey player (n=40). Pelli-Robson contrast chart was used in measurement of contrast sensitivity with latest refractive correction, two times; with and without wearing amber tinted lens. Contrast sensitivity between youth hockey player and non-hockey player seems to show a significant difference in both conditions of without and with wearing amber tinted lens with statistical value U = 312.0, z = -4.95, p<0.001 and U = 434.5, z = -3.89, p<0.001 respectively. This scenario also shows an increment in contrast sensitivity value when the comparison made between without and with wearing amber tinted lens in both groups. The increment among youth hockey player was clinically significant (T = 68, z = -2.392, p <0.05) and among non-hockey player (T = 253, z = -4.284, p <0.001). However, based on recommendation from previous report, the value obtained is not considered clinically significant until the changes of contrast sensitivity using Pelli-Robson contrast chart achieve ±0.14 log unit. Previous study that claimed amber tinted lens can enhance contrast sensitivity was proven statistically significant in this research but in clinical aspect, the increment was not sufficient enough to be established as an enhancement of contrast level.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.