scholarly journals The Effect of Posture and Duration of Smartphone Usage on Neck Flexion Angle

Author(s):  
Sundus Alfaitouri ◽  
Ahamed Altaboli

The main objective of this study was to measure and examine changes in the neck flexion angle while using a Smartphone according to posture and duration of usage. Photographic analysis procedures were carried out to measure the neck flexion angle. The participants in this study were twenty young adults (half males); they stood against a scaled board and used the same Smartphone for web-browsing for twenty minutes. Photos were taken at zero, five, ten, fifteen and twenty minutes. This procedure was repeated for each participant at three postures (standing, sitting without arms rest, sitting with arms rested on a table). The results revealed statistically significant effects of both posture and duration of usage; neck flexion angle increased significantly over time in all postures and was significantly smaller in the standing posture than in the sitting postures. A significant effect of gender was also identified; males displayed larger neck flexion angles than females.

Author(s):  
Joan E. Grusec

This chapter surveys how behavior, affect, and cognition with respect to parenting and moral development have been conceptualized over time. It moves to a discussion of domains of socialization; that is, different contexts in which socialization occurs and where different mechanisms operate. Domains include protection where the child is experiencing negative affect, reciprocity where there is an exchange of favors, group participation or learning through observing others and engaging with them in positive action, guided learning where values are taught in the child’s zone of proximal development, and control where values are learned through discipline and reward. Research using narratives of young adults about value-learning events suggests that inhibition of antisocial behavior is more likely learned in the control domain, and prosocial behavior more likely in the group participation domain. Internalization of values, measured by narrative meaningfulness, is most likely in the group participation domain.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e038471
Author(s):  
Rachel M Taylor ◽  
Lorna A Fern ◽  
Julie Barber ◽  
Javier Alvarez-Galvez ◽  
Richard Feltbower ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn England, healthcare policy advocates specialised age-appropriate services for teenagers and young adults (TYA), those aged 13 to 24 years at diagnosis. Specialist Principal Treatment Centres (PTC) provide enhanced TYA age-specific care, although many still receive care in adult or children’s cancer services. We present the first prospective structured analysis of quality of life (QOL) associated with the amount of care received in a TYA-PTCDesignLongitudinal cohort study.SettingHospitals delivering inpatient cancer care in England.Participants1114 young people aged 13 to 24 years newly diagnosed with cancer.InterventionExposure to the TYA-PTC defined as patients receiving NO-TYA-PTC care with those receiving ALL-TYA-PTC and SOME-TYA-PTC care.Primary outcomeQuality of life measured at five time points: 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months after diagnosis.ResultsGroup mean total QOL improved over time for all patients, but for those receiving NO-TYA-PTC was an average of 5.63 points higher (95% CI 2.77 to 8.49) than in young people receiving SOME-TYA-PTC care, and 4·17 points higher (95% CI 1.07 to 7.28) compared with ALL-TYA-PTC care. Differences were greatest 6 months after diagnosis, reduced over time and did not meet the 8-point level that is proposed to be clinically significant. Young people receiving NO-TYA-PTC care were more likely to have been offered a choice of place of care, be older, from more deprived areas, in work and have less severe disease. However, analyses adjusting for confounding factors did not explain the differences between TYA groups.ConclusionsReceipt of some or all care in a TYA-PTC was associated with lower QOL shortly after cancer diagnosis. The NO-TYA-PTC group had higher QOL 3 years after diagnosis, however those receiving all or some care in a TYA-PTC experienced more rapid QOL improvements. Receipt of some care in a TYA-PTC requires further study.


2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roselind Lieb ◽  
Petra Zimmermann ◽  
Robert H Friis ◽  
Michael Höfler ◽  
Sven Tholen ◽  
...  

SummaryObjective.Although somatoform disorders are assumed to be chronic clinical conditions, epidemiological knowledge on their natural course based on representative samples is not available.Method.Data come from a prospective epidemiologic study of adolescents and young adults in Munich, Germany. Respondents’ diagnoses (N = 2548) at baseline and follow-up on average 42 months later are considered. The follow-up incidence, stability as well as selected baseline risk factors (sociodemographics, psychopathology, trauma exposure) for the incidence and stability of somatoform disorders and syndromes are prospectively examined. Diagnostic information was assessed by using the standardized Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI).Results.Over the follow-up period, incidence rate for any of the covered somatoform diagnoses was 25.7%. Stability for the overall group of any somatoform disorder/syndrome was 48%. Female gender, lower social class, the experience of any substance use, anxiety and affective disorder as well as the experience of traumatic sexual and physical threat events predicted new onsets of somatoform conditions, while stability was predicted by being female, prior existing substance use, affective and eating disorders as well as the experience of a serious accident.Conclusions.At least for a substantial proportion of individuals, the overall picture of somatization seems to be relatively stable, but with fluctuation in the symptom picture over time. Being female, the experience of substance use as well as anxiety disorder seem to constitute risk factors for the onset of new somatoform conditions as well as for a stable course over time.


2007 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon M. Straker ◽  
Peter B. O'Sullivan ◽  
Anne Smith ◽  
Mark Perry

Objective. Computer use is common in adolescents, and there is evidence that adolescent spinal posture alters during computer use. However, it is unknown if computer use and habitual postures are associated. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between adolescent computer use and habitual postures. Methods. Eight hundred eighty-four adolescents (408 females, 476 males, mean age, 14.0 years, standard deviation, 0.2) completed a questionnaire assessing weekly computer use. Habitual spinal posture was assessed by photographic analysis while standing and sitting. Results. Computer use was associated with adolescent habitual postures. In males, increased computer use was associated with increased head flexion and neck flexion. In females, increased computer use was associated with increased lumbar lordosis. Conclusions. The amount of weekly computer use was associated with changes in habitual spinal postures, and these depended on gender. These associations may result from temporary computer postures leading to adaptive neuromusculoskeletal changes, though further multivariate and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm causality. As some habitual posture changes may place a greater strain on the musculoskeletal system, computer use by adolescents should be viewed as a possible health concern.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suellen M Yin ◽  
Laura M Mercer-rosa ◽  
Jungwon Min ◽  
Elizabeth Goldmuntz ◽  
Victoria L Vetter

Introduction: Electrical-mechanical interactions contribute to arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and right ventricular remodeling in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Hypothesis: There are significant changes in electrocardiographic properties and electrical-mechanical interactions that occur over time after complete TOF repair and with pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Methods: This retrospective cohort study of 177 patients, initially recruited for a cross-sectional research protocol, underwent complete TOF repair at 0.3±0.9 years with 21.5±4.2 years of clinical follow-up. We assessed ECG, Holter, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and MRI data. We used linear mixed effects models to examine QRS duration (QRSd) and its rate of change over time, associations between comparable ECG and MRI, Holter and MRI, ECG and Holter, ECG and CPET, and pre-PVR and post-PVR results. Results: QRSd increased after TOF repair, but the rate of change decreased from 5.2 ms/year 1 year post-operatively to 1.7 ms/year 20 years post-operatively. Twenty years from TOF repair, post-operative arrhythmias included ventricular ectopy: ventricular tachycardia (4 of 20 patients) on Holter and premature ventricular contractions (14 of 19 patients) on CPET. QRSd was positively associated with right ventricular (RV) volumes, RV:left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume ratio, and complex ventricular ectopy on Holter; and negatively associated with RV ejection fraction (EF). The association between QRSd and RV volumes was weaker post-PVR. QRSd and its rate of change were associated with increased LV volume post-PVR. Complex ventricular ectopy was associated with lower LV EF, and significant atrial ectopy was associated with higher LV mass-to-volume ratio. Conclusions: Substantial ventricular ectopy occurs in adolescents and young adults after repair of TOF. Electrophysiologic changes included QRSd prolongation that progressively slowed. QRSd and its rate of change were associated with published risk factors for arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, and with indications for PVR. Our ongoing research aims to identify an optimal threshold of pre-PVR QRSd and its rate of change that preserves bi-ventricular electrical-mechanical coupling post-PVR.


Author(s):  
Kaitlin M. Gallagher ◽  
Ethan C. Douglas

In 2013, 64% of American households owned a handheld computer device (e-reader, tablet, smartphones, etc.). The presence of these devices has grown more quickly than our understanding of their effects on musculoskeletal disorders. Their use on a tabletop or a person’s lap causes increased head and neck flexion, as well as an inreased gravitational moment produced by the weight of the head (Straker et al., 2009, Young et al., 2012, Vasavada et al., 2015). A limitation to these studies is that they keep a standard trunk position throughout all tasks; however, people can also assume a semi-reclined position when reading a tablet. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of a semi-reclined trunk position on neck and head flexion angle, and cervical erector spinae muscle activity. Nineteen participants (10 male, 9 female) read off of a tablet in four postures: with the tablet in their lap, on a tabletop, off of a standard computer monitor, and semi-reclined to an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical. Having the tablet on the lap ( M=16%MVC, SD=8%MVC) significantly increased muscle activity of the cervical erector spinae ( p=.0023) compared to reading off of a monitor or in the semi-reclined position (approximately 10%MVC). Neck and head flexion angles significantly increased ( p<.001) when reading the tablet off the lap (neck M=56.8o, SD=17.3o; head M=53.4o, SD=12.9o) versus the computer (neck M=6.4o, SD=6.4o; head M=8.2o, SD=7.4o), however, the head angle during semi-reclined reading stayed more vertical despite having the highest increase in neck flexion angle (neck M=71.6o, SD=14.0o; head M=19.7o, SD=9.2o). In the semi-reclined position, the gravitational moment of the head is second smallest for the four reading positions. In theory, this is desired as the moment that must be produced by the musculature and surround tissues would be less. The downside to this posture is that many of the neck extensor muscles may still not be in optimal force and moment production position. Many of the neck muscles that assist with extension originate from C5 to T5 and insert on C5 and above (Vasavada et al., 1998). At 30 degrees of neck flexion, the moment generating capability of the spenius and semispinalis muscles are decreased compared to when at a neutral position and fascicle length of splenius cervicis, capitis, and semispinalis capitis muscles experience changes of more than 70% of optimal length (Vasavada et al., 1998). While many of the extensor muscles only show moment arms that vary by 1 cm or less, for some there can be about a 2-3 cm changes as one goes from a flexed to extended neck posture (Vasavada et al., 1998). These combined changes mean that the force producing capabilities of the neck extensor muscles may be compromised a semi-reclined position. Future studies should report torso angle to properly analyze biomechanical risk factors during handheld computer use and compare results between studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 411-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liv Berit Augestad

Introduction The purpose of this study was to summarize current scientific knowledge relating to the occurrence of mood disorders among children with visual impairments. Methods A systematic review was conducted of articles published between January 1998 and July 2016, inclusive. A total of 17 publications met the inclusion criteria, of which 15 reported studies with a cross-sectional design. The 17 publications represent 13 countries. Results The majority of the studies suggested that children and young adults with visual impairments had more emotional problems than did their sighted peers. In addition, girls with visual impairments more often experienced serious symptoms of depression and anxiety than did boys with visual impairments, a finding that was in line with results for the general population. Two studies with a longitudinal design suggested that emotional problems among children and young adults with visual impairments might lessen over time. Discussion Due to the different research purposes, study designs, definitions of visual impairment, participants’ age ranges, cultures, countries, small sample sizes, measurements, and analyses of mental health, the overall results of the reviewed studies were inconsistent. To give children the best opportunities for good mental health, there is a need for more knowledge and for further longitudinal and randomized studies of high quality. Implications for practitioners Social support, friendship, and independence in mobility seem to be important for enhancing the mental health of all children. Children with earlier onset and more severe visual impairments may be less likely to experience a reduction in their mental health problems over time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211983601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Samantha Gambling ◽  
Andrew Long

Objectives: Symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip can present in the young, active adult patient and can lead to severe pain and disability at a young age. The overall aim of the study was to deepen the understanding of the impact of developmental dysplasia of the hip on young adults’ quality of life and psycho-social well-being, focusing on how differential access to early diagnosis impacted the trajectory of the disease and treatment options. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews and gathered online stories from 97 participants. A narrative and thematic analysis was used to integrate the dataset producing a multi-dimensional view. Results: A narrative plot showing how events unfolded over time was identified for each participant. Two common plots were identified: Plot 1 focused around those participants who received a prompt diagnosis and were treated within 12 months of diagnosis (n = 22) and Plot 2 focused around those who experienced a late/delayed diagnosis (mean = 8 years; range = 12–364 months) (n = 75) and thus delayed treatment. Participants in Plot 2 became more debilitated over time and experienced chronic hip pain for a prolonged period before an accurate diagnosis and/or intervention was made. It was clear from the narratives when pain persists over time, participants’ quality of life and psycho-social well-being were affected. Conclusions: Developmental dysplasia of the hip is an under-recognised condition; more research is needed to develop a clear clinical picture that can be used to alert frontline health professionals to the potential for developmental dysplasia of the hip so that they can promptly diagnose patients and refer them to specialist centres. Patients can also experience a profound impact on their quality of life and psycho-social well-being. Patients actively seek information from support groups about all aspects of their condition. Further research is required to determine the long-term impact of developmental dysplasia of the hip to develop evidence-based information for clinicians and patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482092041
Author(s):  
Agnete Skovlund Dissing ◽  
Naja Hulvej Rod ◽  
Thomas A. Gerds ◽  
Rikke Lund

Aims: To investigate the effects of objectively measured smartphone interactions on indicators of mental well-being among men and women in a population of young adults. Methods: A total of 816 young adults (mean±SD age 21.6±2.6 years; 77% men) from the Copenhagen Network Study were followed with objective recordings of smartphone interactions from calls, texts and social media. Participants self-reported on loneliness, depressive symptoms and disturbed sleep at baseline and in a four-month (interquartile range 75–163 days) follow-up survey. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the association between smartphone interactions and mental well-being separately for men and women. Results: A higher number of smartphone interactions was associated with lower levels of loneliness at baseline and the same pattern appeared for depressive symptoms, although this was less pronounced. A high level of smartphone interaction was associated with lower levels of disturbed sleep for men, but not for women. In follow-up analyses, a high versus low level of smartphone interaction was associated with an increase in loneliness and depressive symptoms over time for women, but not for men. Conclusions: Smartphone interactions are related to better mental well-being, which may be attributed to the beneficial effects of an underlying social network. Over time, accommodating a large network via smartphone communication might, however, have negative effects on mental well-being for women.


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