Technology-Driven Lifestyle Disorders: Long Term Musculoskeletal, Biomechanical, and Postural Consequences of Smartphone, AI, and Work-From-Home Device Usage in Young and Working-Age Adults—A Preventive and Interventional Study

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of smartphone and digital device usage among young and working age adults has created a silent epidemic of technology-driven musculoskeletal disorders (tech MSDs), yet preventive interventions remain underexplored in clinical practice. This prospective, longitudinal cohort study combined with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigates the biomechanical consequences of technology-driven postural dysfunction and evaluates the efficacy of physiotherapy-led preventive interventions augmented with wearable sensor-based monitoring. A mixed-methods approach recruited 240 participants aged 18–45 years (mean age 34.7±8.2 years; 58% female) with excessive smartphone use (≥4 hours daily) and work-from-home employment. Baseline assessments included AI-assisted posture analysis (forward head posture angle, cervical alignment), conventional clinical observation, wearable sensor integration, and serum biomarker profiling (neurofilament light [NfL], interleukin-6 [IL-6], brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]). The intervention group (n=120) received a 16-week physiotherapy-led preventive program combining ergonomic correction, targeted strengthening exercises, and real-time wearable feedback, while controls (n=120) received standard guidelines. Primary outcomes measured at 6, 12, and 24 months included cervical spine alignment changes, patient-reported disability (Neck Disability Index), pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), and functional mobility (PROMIS scores). Secondary outcomes encompassed cost-effectiveness analysis, work productivity, surgical referral rates, and biomarker progression predicting early degenerative changes. Preliminary 12-month data demonstrated significant improvements in forward head posture (mean change −3.2°, p<0.001), reduced neck disability (−4.1 points, p=0.008), and 34% lower healthcare utilization in the intervention group. Wearable-based biofeedback achieved 73% mean adherence, with real time posture correction reducing daily forward-flexed neck duration by 2.1 hours. Serum NfL and IL-6 levels stabilized in the intervention group, whereas controls demonstrated 18% progression toward degenerative thresholds. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed intervention delivery at £3,247 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), substantially below health economic thresholds. Findings highlight the potential of early physiotherapy-led prevention combined with AI-assisted assessment and wearable monitoring to reduce long-term disability, arrest early degenerative processes, and provide economically sustainable solutions for a digitally transformed workforce.

Keywords: Smartphone-Induced Musculoskeletal Disorders; Work-From-Home Ergonomics; Preventive Physiotherapy; AI-Assisted Posture Assessment; Wearable Sensor Technology; Cervical Spine Biomechanics; Digital Health; Cost-Effectiveness; Clinical Trials; Young Adults

Citation

Muthukrishnan P, Durai R. Technology Driven Lifestyle Disorders: Long-Term Musculoskeletal, Biomechanical, and Postural Consequences of Smartphone, AI, and Work-From-Home Device Usage in Young and Working-Age Adults—A Preventive and Interventional Study. WebLog J Phys Ther Rehabil. wjptr.2026.a0306. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18213348