Effect of a Short-Term Yoga on Mental Health, Mobile Addiction, Cardio-Autonomic Function, and Sleep in Medical Interns

Mobile addiction has emerged as a growing concern in today’s digital age, particularly among young adults, including medical students and resident interns. The excessive use of smartphones, often characterised by compulsive checking, prolonged screen time, and difficulty in disconnecting, is now recognized as a form of behavioural addiction. Smartphone addiction, also known as problematic smartphone use or mobile phone dependency, has emerged as a significant public health concern worldwide. Characterised by excessive, uncontrollable use of smartphones, this addiction impacts various aspects of daily life, including social relationships, mental health, and physical well-being. The ubiquity of smartphones and their multifunctionality—providing instant access to social media, games, and information—have contributed to their addictive potential. Research indicates that smartphone addiction can lead to negative outcomes such as sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, and impaired academic and professional performance, particularly among students and young adults. The addictive nature of smartphones is often linked to their ability to offer immediate gratification and continuous stimulation, which can disrupt time management, cognitive focus, and emotional regulation. Excessive smartphone use, or smartphone addiction, has been found to significantly impair sleep quality across various populations. Prolonged screen exposure, especially before bedtime, disrupts the circadian rhythm, delays sleep onset, and leads to poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration. Research shows that individuals with higher smartphone usage often report increased instances of insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Factors such as bedtime procrastination and the stimulating nature of smartphone content also exacerbate these sleep disturbances. Smartphone addiction is highly prevalent among Asian medical students. Smartphone addiction may adversely affect mental health, resulting in sleep disturbance, stress, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism. It is necessary to take appropriate preventive actions and interventions to prevent smartphone overuse among medical students . As smartphone use continues to grow, understanding the underlying mechanisms of addiction and developing strategies for prevention and intervention becomes crucial.