A pilot investigation comparing neck angle in a standardised standing position and a self-selected texting standing position.

Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular and individuals appear to be spending longer durations using them, but there seems to be no research to date investigating the effect on neck angle. However, increased neck flexion is associated with spinal pathologies (Ariens et al, 2001). The CSP (2013) acknowledges physiotherapists play a key role in addressing public health issues, by raising awareness of the association between a musculoskeletal disorder and contributory factors. A convenience sample (n = 17) from an adult student population. Exclusion criteria included a musculoskeletal disorder of the spine or upper extremity. A same subject crossover design, counterbalanced with a washout period, was utilised. Photogrammetry was conducted to measure neck angles; there is support for the reliability and validity of this (van Niekerk et al, 2008). Neck angle was defined as the angle between a line joining C7 and the tragus, and a vertical reference line from C7 (Sommerich et al, 2001).The two conditions were a self-selected standing posture whilst texting and a standardised upright comfortable (non-texting) standing posture as defined by Silva et al (2011).Mean neck angle for the texting posture was 60.61° (S.D.± 4.72), and for the standardised posture was 40.49° (S.D. ± 9.19). The mean difference in angles was 20.12°. (p = 0.000). Neck angle (a forward head posture) is significantly greater (clinically and statistically) in a texting position. Physiotherapists have a key role to play in providing ergonomic advice; this study indicates that need to for mobile phone users and designers to have a greater awareness of the potential impact of mobile phones on posture, and consequently musculoskeletal disorders.