Erdi KAYABINAR, Zeynep ŞAHİN, Ebrar ATAK, Büşra KAYABINAR, Fatma MUTLUAY
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2026;8(2):187-193
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the duration of computer and visual display terminal (VDT) use and cervical proprioception and dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 healthy university students aged 18-25 years. Participants' age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and weekly durations of computer and technological device use were recorded. Cervical proprioception was assessed using the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPET), and dynamic balance was measured with the Y Balance Test (YBT). Multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis were performed to investigate the associations between computer and technological device usage duration, cervical joint position error, and dynamic balance performance. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.46+/-1.94 years, consisting of 99 females (79.2%) and 26 males (20.8%). The regression models for CJPET flexion, extension, right rotation, and left rotation were nonsignificant (F=0.812, 0.400, 0.869, and 0.393; Adjusted R²=0.046, 0.036, 0.023, 0.007, respectively). Similarly, the YBT composite models for right and left limbs were not significant (F=0.475 and 0.574; Adjusted R²=0.040 and 0.032, respectively). In addition, Pearson correlation analysis revealed no significant associations between computer or technological device usage duration and cervical joint position error or YBT composite scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: Prolonged computer and technological device use, within non-symptomatic limits, is not associated with impaired cervical joint position sense or dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults. These findings suggest that young, healthy individuals may maintain effective proprioceptive and postural control potentially through adaptive neuromuscular mechanisms. Ergonomic education, regular posture correction, and periodic movement breaks are recommended to prevent long-term sensorimotor strain associated with sustained screen exposure. Further studies including symptomatic populations and ergonomic, postural, or psychosocial variables are recommended to clarify the multifactorial effects of prolonged digital device exposure.
