Sensor-Based Neuromuscular Proprioceptive Training for SmartphoneInduced Cervico-Scapular Sensorimotor Dysfunction: A Pre–Post Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Habitual smartphone usage imposes sustained biomechanical loading on the
cervical spine, predisposing users to forward head posture, proprioceptive degradation, and cervicoscapular neuromuscular dysfunction. Current rehabilitation approaches predominantly rely on
ergonomic advice and static postural correction, which inadequately address the underlying
sensorimotor deficits. This study investigated the effectiveness of a sensor-based neuromuscular
proprioceptive training programme on cervico-scapular sensorimotor dysfunction in habitual
smartphone users.
Methods: Twenty-four participants (aged 18–35 years) reporting more than three hours of
daily smartphone use and exhibiting a craniovertebral angle of less than 50 degrees were enrolled in
a pre–post experimental design. Outcome measures included craniovertebral angle, cervical joint
reposition error, deep cervical flexor endurance, upper trapezius surface electromyographic activity,
functional scapular dyskinesis, and inertial sensor-based cervical flexion monitoring. The
intervention comprised a six-week sensorimotor-integrated programme including cervical joint
repositioning training, closed-chain cervico-scapular stabilization, deep neck flexor neuromuscular
facilitation, and task-specific motor control retraining with real-time inertial measurement unit
feedback. Pre- and post-intervention data were analysed using paired t-tests