Effects of mobile phone texting on postural control and gait parameters in college students

Background: Mobile phone has become a part of everyday life. Mobile phone texting is one of the major causes of road traffic accidents, falls and injuries in young adults. Dual-task activities while using mobile phone increases the risk of falls. Objectives: To find out the changes in postural control and gait parameters while using mobile phone in young college students. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 college students of age 18–25 years participated in the study. NeuroCom Balance Master was used and the subjects were tested with and without phone. The participants had to maintain balance on firm surface and foam surfaces with and without phone. For walking, participants had to walk without phone followed by walking with phone. Outcome measures used were Modified Clinical test for Sensory Interaction on balance and Walk Across for balance and gait respectively. Results: The study showed statistically significant changes in postural control on firm and foam surfaces. Furthermore, the gait parameters such as step length, speed and step length symmetry were altered significantly, except step width while using the mobile phone. Conclusion: Subjects showed increased postural sway, step length and step length symmetry while the step width and speed decreased on using the mobile phone.