Correlation between Neck Disability Index, Nomophobia, and Hand Grip Strength in Female College-Going Students.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the correlation between Neck Disability Index (NDI) and nomophobia, nomophobia and hand grip strength, and the impact of neck disability on hand grip strength in college-going female students.
METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out involving 150 university students between the ages of 18 to 25. Data were collected using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), hand grip measured with a dynamometer, and Cervical Range of Motion-Flexion (CROM-F) measured with a goniometer.
RESULTS: The Spearman correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between NDI and CROM-F (ρ = 0.745, p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation between screen time and NMP-Q score (ρ = 0.288, p < 0.001) and screen time and NDI (ρ = 0.254, p = 0.002) suggests that increased screen time is associated with a higher NDI score. A weak positive but not statistically significant correlation between NMP-Q and NDI (ρ = 0.134, p = 0.103) was seen, meaning musculoskeletal discomfort does not strongly correlate with neck disability. Grip strength does not significantly correlate with screen time, musculoskeletal discomfort, neck disability, or CROM-F.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Increased screen time is strongly associated with higher neck disability scores as well as greater musculoskeletal pain. There is a significant correlation between CROM-F and NDI Score, indicating that postural changes increase impairment. Screen time, NMP-Q score, and NDI score do not significantly correlate with grip strength.