Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of neck pain among postgraduate physiotherapy students in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, assess its severity, and examine its association with different postures during digital device use.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2023. Using the Slovin formula, a sample size of 352 students was selected from an estimated population of 3000. Participants aged 25–40 years, enrolled in postgraduate physiotherapy programs, and using digital devices for at least two hours daily were included. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results:
Of the 352 participants, 78.6% were female and 21.3% male, with a mean age of 31.63 ± 4.07 years. The overall prevalence of neck pain was 51.1%. Pain severity, measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, revealed 40.0% experienced mild, 31.4% moderate, and 28.3% severe pain. Positions involving neck flexion and slouching both forward and backward were significantly associated with higher pain scores (p < 0.005), whereas neutral and extended neck positions resulted in lower pain levels.
Conclusion:
Neck pain is highly prevalent among postgraduate physiotherapy students and is strongly linked to non-neutral postures during device use. These findings highlight the urgent need for ergonomic education and targeted interventions to promote healthier posture and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort in academic settings.