Abstract

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain significantly affects an individual’s well-being and daily functioning. Excessive smartphone use has been linked to the development of musculoskeletal pain, poor sleep quality, and central sensitization of the cervical spine and upper limbs. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of smartphone addiction on poor sleep quality and central sensitization in individuals with chronic cervical spine and upper limb musculoskeletal pain. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and central sensitization in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the cervical spine and upper limbs. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional observational design was employed, with 300 participants. Data on smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and central sensitization were collected using validated questionnaires: Smartphone Addiction Score-Short Version (SAS-SV), Central Sensitization Inventory-Gujarati (CSI-G), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PISQI). In addition, hours of smartphone usage and pain level were measured on a numerical pain rating scale. Results: Significant correlations were identified between smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and central sensitization. A statistically significant Pearson correlation coefficient was found between scores of SAS-SV and CSI 0.495 (p = 0.001), SAS-SV and PISQI 0.285 (p = 0.001), SAS-SV and the Hours of Smartphone usage 0.716 (p = 0.001), and SAS-SV and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) 0.417 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study found a significant relationship between smartphone addiction, poor sleep quality, and central sensitization in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain of the cervical spine and upper limbs. These results suggest that excessive smartphone use and sleep disturbances may contribute to the development of central sensitization, impacting pain levels and overall well-being. KEY MESSAGE There is a connection among smartphone addiction, poor sleep quality, and central sensitization in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

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