International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research  |  e-ISSN: 2582-8940  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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     2026:7/4

International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

e-ISSN: 2582-8940 | Open Access

Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance and Grades of Neurocognitive Dysfunction due to Prolonged Screen Exposure in Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ayasha Kotangale, Dr. Chitra Mridha, Dr. Jaywant Nagulkar

Bachelor of physiotherapy, Dr. Ulhas Patil College of Physiotherapy, Jalgaon. 425001, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India; Professor and HOD, Department of Neuroscience, Jalgaon.425001, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India; Principal, Department of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Jalgaon.425001, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India

Article Information

Volume / Issue7 / 4 (October-December 2026)
Pages05-12
AccessOpen Access

Publication Timeline

  • Received23 July 2026
  • Accepted25 August 2026
  • Published

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Abstract

Background: Prolonged use of smartphones, laptops, tablets and other digital devices is common among students. Sleep disturbance and changes in cognitive performance may occur in the context of prolonged screen exposure.
Aim: To assess the prevalence of sleep disturbance and grades of neurocognitive dysfunction associated with prolonged digital screen exposure among students aged 18–25 years.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 122 students in Jalgaon district. Participants were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and categorical variables. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine the relationship between PSQI and MoCA scores.
Results: The mean age was 21.77 ± 1.62 years. The largest screen-time category was 6–8 hours/day (35.25%). The mean PSQI score was 7.17 ± 3.13; 68.85% had mild sleep disturbance, 16.39% moderate sleep disturbance, 0.82% severe sleep disturbance and 13.93% good sleep quality. The mean MoCA score was 23.78 ± 2.19; 77.05% were classified as mild impairment and 22.95% as normal, with no participants classified as moderate or severe. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between PSQI and MoCA scores (ρ = −0.28, p = 0.002).
Conclusion: In this sample, sleep disturbance and mild cognitive impairment were common. Higher PSQI scores were significantly associated with lower MoCA scores. Because the study was cross-sectional, these findings describe associations and do not establish causation.
 

Keywords

screen exposuresleep disturbancePSQIneurocognitive functionMoCAstudentscross-sectional study

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How to Cite

Kotangale, A., Mridha, C., & Nagulkar, J. (2026). Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance and Grades of Neurocognitive Dysfunction due to Prolonged Screen Exposure in Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 7(4), 05-12. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.4.05-12

Kotangale, Ayasha, et al. "Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance and Grades of Neurocognitive Dysfunction due to Prolonged Screen Exposure in Students: A Cross-Sectional Study." International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, vol. 7, no. 4, 2026, pp. 05-12. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.4.05-12.

Kotangale, A., Mridha, C. and Nagulkar, J. (2026) 'Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance and Grades of Neurocognitive Dysfunction due to Prolonged Screen Exposure in Students: A Cross-Sectional Study', International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 7(4), pp. 05-12. doi: 10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.4.05-12.

Kotangale A, Mridha C, Nagulkar J. Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance and Grades of Neurocognitive Dysfunction due to Prolonged Screen Exposure in Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research. 2026;7(4):05-12. doi:10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.4.05-12

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