Effect of smartphone location on pharmacy students’ attention and working memory

Objectives: Smartphone use has become ubiquitous worldwide. Despite
smartphone-related convenience, smartphone use has raised concerns
regarding addiction among university undergraduates. This study aimed to
examine the effect of smartphone location, such as desk, bag, and another
room, on working memory, based on electroencephalography parameters, in
pharmacy students. Key findings: Thirty-six students were enrolled in the
study. Smartphone location had no effect on electroencephalography
outcomes and working memory. Partial correlation coefficients between
alpha and beta and between theta and alpha values were statistically
significant when the smartphone was on the desk (r = 0.869, p <
0.0001; r = 0.887, p < 0.0001; respectively), however, those
between alpha and beta values were not statistically significant when the
smartphone was in the bag and outside the room. Conclusions: Smartphone
locations did not affect either electroencephalography or working memory
findings. Smartphones located in the bag and outside the room seemed to
influence students’ concentration on the task, but this effect did not
affect working memory.