Exploring the relationship between smartphone addiction and respiratory health in college students: A correlational study

Background: Smartphone addiction (SA) is "mainly described as excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, utilization or behaviour regarding smartphone use; to the extent that people neglect different facets of life." SA has become a significant global issue for university students. The use of smartphones in poor posture may lead to forward head position (Forward Head Posture- FHP). FHP significantly impairs the respiratory system by weakening the respiratory muscles. The Smartphone Addiction Scale short version (SAS-SV) was created to measure smartphone addiction in a simplified manner.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to look into the relationship between smartphone addiction and respiratory function in college students. PFT and SAS-SV were used to assess the relationship between head-forward postural deviation and ventilatory function.
Aim of study: The intention behind the study was to determine the influence of addiction of smartphone on respiratory performance in college students, as well as to identify the association between forward head posture, SAS-SV, and target wall tests.
Method: The subjects were selected according to selective criteria between 18 and 24 years old. Written consent was taken. The tragus-to-wall distance and SAS-SV were taken to evaluate correlation. A spirometer is used to assess FVC, FEV1, and PEFR.
Result: The result of the study was statistically non-significant with the FVC (P value 0.072), FEV1(P value 0.736), and PEFR (P value 0.491,) which means there was no effect of smartphone addiction on respiratory function, but there was statistically significant difference in FHP (P value 0.002)
Conclusion: The study concluded that while smartphone use does not affect respiratory function, it may contribute to changes in forward head posture.