Journals / Anatolian Current Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 8 Issue: 2

Association between computer and technological device usage and cervical proprioception and dynamic balance in young adults: a cross-sectional study

Genç yetişkinlerde bilgisayar kullanım süresinin servikal propriosepsiyon ve denge üzerine etkileri: kesitsel çalışma

Erdi Kayabınar(YALOVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-5720-9425
Zeynep Şahin(YALOVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON BÖLÜMÜ)0009-0007-6710-2940
Ebrar Atak(YALOVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0001-9426-7010
Büşra Kayabınar(YALOVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0001-7937-3683
Fatma Mutluay(YALOVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0003-1432-0913
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-03-10
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Further studies including symptomatic populations and ergonomic, postural, or psychosocial variables are recommended to clarify the multifactorial effects of prolonged digital device exposure.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the duration of computer and visual display terminal (VDT) use and cervical proprioception and dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 healthy university students aged 18-25 years.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Further studies including symptomatic populations and ergonomic, postural, or psychosocial variables are recommended to clarify the multifactorial effects of prolonged digital device exposure.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Cervical joint position sense error · computer usage · physiotherapy

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the duration of computer and visual display terminal (VDT) use and cervical proprioception and dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 healthy university students aged 18-25 years. Participants’ age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and weekly durations of computer and technological device use were recorded. Cervical proprioception was assessed using the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPET), and dynamic balance was measured with the Y Balance Test (YBT). Multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis were performed to investigate the associations between computer and technological device usage duration, cervical joint position error, and dynamic balance performance. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.46±1.94 years, consisting of 99 females (79.2%) and 26 males (20.8%). The regression models for CJPET flexion, extension, right rotation, and left rotation were nonsignificant (F=0.812, 0.400, 0.869, and 0.393; Adjusted R²=0.046, 0.036, 0.023, 0.007, respectively). Similarly, the YBT composite models for right and left limbs were not significant (F=0.475 and 0.574; Adjusted R²=0.040 and 0.032, respectively). In addition, Pearson correlation analysis revealed no significant associations between computer or technological device usage duration and cervical joint position error or YBT composite scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: Prolonged computer and technological device use, within non-symptomatic limits, is not associated with impaired cervical joint position sense or dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults. These findings suggest that young, healthy individuals may maintain effective proprioceptive and postural control potentially through adaptive neuromuscular mechanisms. Ergonomic education, regular posture correction, and periodic movement breaks are recommended to prevent long-term sensorimotor strain associated with sustained screen exposure. Further studies including symptomatic populations and ergonomic, postural, or psychosocial variables are recommended to clarify the multifactorial effects of prolonged digital device exposure.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışma, sağlıklı genç yetişkinlerde bilgisayar ve teknolojik cihaz kullanım süresi ile servikal propriosepsiyon ve dinamik denge performansı arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmayı amaçladı. Yöntem: 18–25 yaş aralığında, sağlıklı 125 üniversite öğrencisi ile çalışma kesitsel olarak yürütüldü. Katılımcıların yaşı, cinsiyeti, beden kütle indeksi (BKİ) ve haftalık bilgisayar ile teknolojik cihaz kullanım süreleri kaydedildi. Servikal propriosepsiyon, Servikal Eklem Pozisyon Hata Testi kullanılarak değerlendirildi ve dinamik denge Y Denge Testi ile ölçüldü. Yaş, BKİ ve bilgisayar ile teknolojik cihaz kullanımının Servikal Eklem Pozisyon Hata Testi ve Y Denge Testi üzerindeki etkisini araştırmak için çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizleri uygulandı. Cinsiyetler arasındaki farkları karşılaştırmak için bağımsız örneklemler t-testi kullanıldı. Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama yaşı 21,46 ± 1,94 yıl olup, 99’u kadın (%79,2) ve 26’sı erkekti (%20,8). Erkeklerin beden kütle indeksi değerleri ve bilgisayar kullanım süreleri kadınlara kıyasla anlamlı derecede yüksekti (p<0,05). Servikal Eklem Pozisyon Hata Testi fleksiyon, ekstansiyon, sağ rotasyon ve sol rotasyon için oluşturulan regresyon modelleri anlamlı bulunmadı (F=0,812, 0,400, 0,869 ve 0,393; Düzeltilmiş R²=0,046, 0,036, 0,023 ve 0,007, sırasıyla). Benzer şekilde, sağ ve sol ekstremiteler için oluşturulan Y Denge Testi bileşik modelleri de anlamlı değildi (F=0,475 ve 0,574; Düzeltilmiş R²=0,040 ve 0,032, sırasıyla). Sonuç: Semptomatik sınırların altında kalan uzun süreli bilgisayar ve teknolojik cihaz kullanımı, servikal eklem pozisyon duyusunu veya dinamik denge performansını olumsuz etkilemedi. Bu bulgular, genç ve sağlıklı bireylerin adaptif nöromüsküler mekanizmalar aracılığıyla etkili proprioseptif ve postüral kontrolü sürdürebildiklerini göstermektedir. Uzun süreli ekran maruziyetine bağlı sensörimotor zorlanmayı önlemek için ergonomik eğitim, düzenli duruş düzeltme egzersizleri ve periyodik hareket molaları önerilmektedir. Semptomatik popülasyonları ve ergonomik, postüral veya psikososyal değişkenleri içeren ileri çalışmaların, uzun süreli dijital cihaz maruziyetinin çok faktörlü etkilerini açıklığa kavuşturması önerilmektedir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Kayabınar, E., Şahin, Z., Atak, E., Kayabınar, B., Mutluay, F. (2026). Association between computer and technological device usage and cervical proprioception and dynamic balance in young adults: a cross-sectional study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, Volume: 8 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1817061

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (25)

  1. García-Remeseiro T, Gutiérrez-Sánchez Á, Taboada-Iglesias Y, Alonso-Fernández D. Physical activity, sitting time, neck disability and posture in workers using visual display terminals (VDT). Work. 2023;74(2):733-742. doi:10.3233/WOR-205194
  2. Cheng X, Song M, Kong J, et al. Influence of prolonged visual display terminal use and exercise on physical and mental conditions of internet staff in Hangzhou, China. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(10): 1829. doi:10.3390/ijerph16101829
  3. Sahu PK. Cervical proprioception and dynamic balance in computer users: a comparison between male and female healthy adults. Indian J Public Health Res & Development. 2020;11(12):263-269. doi:10.37506/ijphrd.v11i12.13247
  4. Özüdoğru A, Canlı M, Kuzu Ş, Aslan M, Ceylan I, Alkan H. Muscle strength, balance and upper extremity function are not predictors of cervical proprioception in healthy young subjects. Somatosensory & Motor Research. 2023;40(2):78-82. doi:10.1080/08990220.2023.2183832
  5. Reddy RS, Tedla JS, Alshahrani MS, Asiri F, Kakaraparthi VN. Comparison and correlation of cervical proprioception and muscle endurance in general joint hypermobility participants with and without non-specific neck pain-a cross-sectional study. PeerJ. 2022;10:e13097. doi:10.7717/peerj.13097
  6. Peng B, Yang L, Li Y, Liu T, Liu Y. Cervical proprioception impairment in neck pain-pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and management: a narrative review. Pain Ther. 2021;10(1):143-164. doi:10.1007/s40122-020-00230-z
  7. Alshahrani MS, Reddy RS. Mediation effect of kinesiophobia on the relationship between cervical joint position sense and limits of stability in individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome: a cross-sectional study using mediation analysis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(8):2791. doi:10.3390/jcm12082791
  8. Gucmen B, Kocyigit BF, Nacitarhan V, Berk E, Koca TT, Akyol A. The relationship between cervical proprioception and balance in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Rheumatol Int. 2022;42(2):311-318. doi:10. 1007/s00296-021-05081-1
  9. Lee J, Seo K. The comparison of cervical repositioning errors according to smartphone addiction grades. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014;26(4):595-598. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.595
  10. AlAbdulwahab SS, Kachanathu SJ, AlMotairi MS. Smartphone use addiction can cause neck disability. Musculoskeletal Care. 2017;15(1):10-12. doi:10.1002/msc.1170
  11. Ahmed S, Mishra A, Akter R, Shah MH, Sadia AA. Smartphone addiction and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulder, elbow, and hand among college going students: a cross-sectional study. Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy. 2022;27(1):5. doi:10.1186/s43161-021-00067-3
  12. Szucs KA, Cicuto K, Rakow M. A comparison of upper body and limb postures across technology and handheld device use in college students. J Phys Ther Sci. 2018;30(10):1293-1300. doi:10.1589/jpts.30.1293
  13. Lin C-C, Hua S-H, Lin C-L, Cheng C-H, Liao J-C, Lin C-F. Impact of prolonged tablet computer usage with head forward and neck flexion posture on pain intensity, cervical joint position sense and balance control in mechanical neck pain subjects. J Med and Biological Engineering. 2020;40(3):372-382. doi:10.1007/s40846-020-00525-8
  14. Plisky P, Schwartkopf-Phifer K, Huebner B, Garner MB, Bullock G. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the Y-balance test lower quarter: reliability, discriminant validity, and predictive validity. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021;16(5):1190. doi:10.26603/001c.27634
  15. Qi J, Yan Y, Yin H. Screen time among school-aged children of aged 6–14: a systematic review. Glob Health Res Policy. 2023;8(1):12. doi:10.1186/s41256-023-00297-z
  16. Depreli O, Iyigun G, Angın E, et al. The relationship between proprioception, physical activity level, muscle endurance, posture, sitting time, smartphone and computer usage in healthy young adults. Sağlık ve Toplum. 2024;34(3):166-176.
  17. Zheng Y, Feng R, Hu W, Huang P. Investigation of inter-rater and test-retest reliability of Y balance test in college students with flexible flatfoot. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024;16(1):40. doi:10.1186/s13102-024-00819-3
  18. Shaffer SW, Teyhen DS, Lorenson CL, et al. Y-balance test: a reliability study involving multiple raters. Military Med. 2013;178(11):1264-1270. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00222
  19. Saraiva M, Vilas-Boas JP, Castro MA. Postural control and muscle activity during dual-task in young adults. Behav Sci (Basel). 2024;14(5): 403. doi:10.3390/bs14050403
  20. Hua A-K, Bai J-Y, Wang G-Z, Hao Z-M, Meng J, Wang J. Adaptive changes in balance control strategies under continuous exposure to visual-somatosensory conflicts. J Neurophysiol. 2025;133(3):765-774. doi:10.1152/jn.00350.2024
  21. Straker LM, O'Sullivan PB, Smith A, Perry M. Computer use and habitual spinal posture in Australian adolescents. Public Health Rep. 2007;122(5):634-643. doi:10.1177/003335490712200511
  22. Alshahrani A, Aly SM, Abdrabo MS, Asiri FY. Impact of smartphone usage on cervical proprioception and balance in healthy adults. Biomedical Research. 2018;29(12):2547-2552. doi:10.4066/biomedicalresearch.29-18-594
  23. Kang J-H, Park R-Y, Lee S-J, Kim J-Y, Yoon S-R, Jung K-I. The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker. Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(1):98. doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98
  24. Cheragh ZA, Degens H, Sakinepoor A. Effect of a slump posture on pain, proprioception, and electrical activity of the muscles in office workers with chronic non-specific neck pain. A retrospective study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024;38:100-105. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.12.006
  25. Bisen RR, Kadam PD, Varghese A, Bisen R, Bisen R, Kadam P. The correlation between cervical proprioception and scapular dyskinesis in patients with neck pain: a case-control study. Cureus. 2024;16(10): e70869 doi:10. 7759/cureus.70869