Prevalence and Risk Factors of Text Neck Syndrome Among Palestinian Medical Students: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

emergence of musculoskeletal disorders associated with prolonged and improper posture. Medical students are some of the most affected groups due to reliance on such devices due to academic demands. Text neck syndrome is caused by prolonged and repetitive flexion of the neck while using smart devices. TNS has been associated with neck pain, functional disability, reduced mobility, and overall quality of life. Despite the increasing reliance on digital devices and the burdens associated with them, evidence regarding the prevalence and risk factors remains limited. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TNS among medical students in West Bank universities and to identify factors associated with TNS. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an online, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the use of smart devices, ergonomic practices, sociodemographic characteristics, TNS symptoms, and neck disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results: Among the 358 medical students included in this study, the prevalence of TNS was 46.6%, significant associations included university, year of study, female gender, shorter break time from using devices, degree of neck tilting, tablet holder non-use, height, time on devices, time spent sitting, NDI score, and category. Multivariable regression analysis also showed independent associations with academic year, gender, time spent on digital devices, degree of neck tilting, and non-use of tablet holders. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. NDI showed that 42.7% had no disability, 45.5% had mild disability, 11.2% moderate disability, and 0.6% had severe disability; no cases of complete disability were reported. Conclusion: TNS was prevalent among medical students and had significant associations with sociodemographic, ergonomic, academic, and device use factors, highlighting the need for preventative measures and further research.