Association between Smartphone Addiction and Breathing Pattern in Sedentary Young College-Going Students - A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The number of smartphone users has progressively increased worldwide. Altered biomechanics of the cervicothoracic spine and ribcage could limit the chest wall function that affects the respiratory muscles strength, reducing diaphragm function in smartphone users. This study aimed to compare breathing patterns between smartphone-addicted and -nonaddicted user groups. Objective: To find the association between excessive smartphone use and breathing pattern in sedentary young college-going students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 230 participants. The participants were screened for the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were asked to fill out a Smartphone Addiction Scale questionnaire. These breathing patterns were then assessed by self-evaluation of breathing questionnaire (SEBQ), manual assessment of respiratory motion (MARM), breath-holding test, and capnography. Results: The correlation of smartphone-addicted and -nonaddicted groups with breathing patterns was performed by Spearman rank correlation. Results show no significant association between the smartphone-nonaddicted and -addicted users. Conclusion: This study concluded that excessive smartphone use and breathing patterns are not associated.