Changes of spinal flexion angle while toileting with smartphone using

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to quantify spinal flexion when using a smartphone while toileting. Methods Thirty participants were required to measure the spinal flexion angles in the Sagittal Plane when carrying out both hands, one hand and no smartphone using while toileting for 10 minutes. Five separate inertial motion sensors were placed and installed individually upon the partcipants' forehead, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal regions. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 26.0 software. Results Result showed spinal and cervical flexion angle were significantly greater ( p < 0.05) on both and one hand smartphone using. There was no significant difference of the increased flexion angle of each region of the spine when using the mobile phone with both hands and one hand for 10 minutes (P > 0.05). Regression analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between the spinal flexion angle and time on no smartphone using(r = 0.747,p < 0.001) task. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between the spinal flexion angle and time on both hands smartphone using(r = 0.793,p < 0.001) task.Regression analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between the spinal flexion angle and time on one hand smartphone using(r = 0.855,p < 0.001) task.When sitting on the toilet and using the smartphone with both hands and one hand, the spine flexion angle changes exponentially with time to a certain extent. Within ten minutes, it will first increase rapidly and then gradually flatten with the increase of time.When using the smartphone with both hands, the flexion angle of the spine enters a stable state faster than when using the mobile phone with one hand. Conclusion Study revealed using smartphone while toileting would pose a larger load to the spine, particularly to cervical vertebrae musculature. The flexion angle of the spine will gradually increase even when not using smartphone while toileting. Therefore, we suggested not using smartphone and shorten the time on toileting in order to prevent large spinal load.