EVALUATING THUMB PAIN AND GRIP STRENGTH AMONG SMART PHONE USERS BETWEEN THE AGE GROUP OF 18-25 YEARS

Background:Smart phones are not just system of oral communication but a word processor a gaming machine or a device to surf the web, becoming a small personal computer. A thumb can sweep most of the screen on all but the most oversized phones. Thumb is responsible for 60% of functioning of their hand. High-frequency use of smart phones, iPods, could lead to Musculo skeletal problems as handheld electronics may require prolonged grips, repetitive motion on small buttons and awkward wrist movements. Purpose:The purpose of the study was evaluating the probability of thumb pain and to measure the functional outcome of grip strength among the smart phone users between the age group of 18-25 years. Methodology: 400 unrelated, healthy individuals aged 18-25 years randomly recruited from Chennai between the time period of March 2022 - May 2022. The participants were divided accordingly in groups in the two-year age interval such as 18-19, 20-21, 22-23, 24-25. The thumb pain was measured by Michigan hand outcome questionnaire. Grip strength was measured using Jamar dynamometer. Result:Majority of the participants were male (84.5%). The mean score of thumb pain was high between the age group of 20-21 (97.97±16.40). The maximum mean grip strength was recorded among the right hand dominant male participants between the age group of 24-25 years. Conclusion: This study concludes that the high usage of smart phone increased the risk of thumb pain and reduces the grip strength among the young adults between the age group of 18-25 years.