The Association Between Digital Device Usage Behaviors and the Incidence of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Among University Students

Abstract

Background: The extensive use of mobile and digital devices has been implicated in various musculoskeletal disorders, including de Quervain’s tenosynovitis (dQD), a condition affecting the thumb. Purpose: The present study investigates the relationship between digital device usage patterns and the prevalence of dQD among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 508 participants (255 females and 253 males), collecting data on daily device use time, wrist positions, hand dominance, and stretching practices via a questionnaire. Data collection was carried out through a supervised, face-to-face survey. Diagnosis of dQD was determined using Finkelstein’s test, all data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Out of 508 participants, 187 (36.8%) tested positive for dQD, with 152 (95.6)% occurring in the dominant hand (p =.006, Cramér’s (Formula presented.) = 0.121). 250 participants used their devices with wrists in ulnar deviation (49.2%), which was strongly linked to a positive Finkelstein test result (p =.004, Cramér’s (Formula presented.) = 0.175). Finkelstein’s test showed increasing positivity with device use, ranging from 12.5% for < 2 hours to 46.2% for ≥ 8 hours, with a statistically significant association (p <.001, Cramér’s (Formula presented.) = 0.234). Device usage varied, with the highest test positivity rates among those using devices 6–8 hours per day suggesting a significant association with dQD (p =.001). No significant relationship was found between dQD and the practice of stretching or relieving movements (p =.146). Conclusion: The findings indicate that prolonged digital device usage, specific wrist positions such as ulnar deviation, and dominant-hand use are significantly associated with an increased risk of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis among college students. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.