Physiotherapy Management of Computer Vision Syndrome and Associated Musculoskeletal Dysfunction in Young Adults: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Approaches.

INTRODUCTION

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a cluster of ocular and musculoskeletal complaints linked to heavy digital device use, and a growing body of evidence ties CVS to postural strain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Even so, physiotherapy-based management of this combined presentation remains poorly consolidated in the literature. This review appraised the available evidence on physiotherapy interventions for CVS and its associated musculoskeletal dysfunction in young adults.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, Maryland), PEDro (Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia), Scopus (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and Web of Science (Clarivate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was performed for studies published between January 2020 and May 2026, supplemented by manual reference checking. Study selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework through identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion stages. Methodological quality was appraised with the PEDro scale for randomized trials, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies, and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for quasi-experimental designs. Given the anticipated heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures, findings were synthesized narratively.

RESULTS

Of the 1,248 records identified across the four databases, 20 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 14 studies had complete and extractable data and were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Included studies evaluated cervical stabilization exercise, scapular strengthening, stretching, postural correction training, proprioceptive and motor-learning-based training, telerehabilitation, ergonomic counseling, and visual hygiene education, using tools such as the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), Neck Disability Index, craniovertebral angle, Visual Analogue Scale, tear film break-up time, near point of convergence, and cervical range of motion. Physiotherapy interventions were consistently associated with reduced neck and shoulder pain, improved cervical alignment and mobility, and lower digital eye strain scores, with multimodal programs generally outperforming single-component approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiotherapy-based rehabilitation appears to be a useful, non-pharmacological strategy for addressing both the visual and musculoskeletal dimensions of CVS in young adults. The current evidence base is dominated by small, short-duration studies with variable designs, underscoring the need for larger trials with standardized protocols and longer follow-up before firm clinical guidelines can be established.