Smartphone Addiction and Cervical Muscular Health
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18-30
SponsorSaglik Bilimleri Universitesi
About this trial
This cross-sectional observational study investigates how smartphone addiction affects neck pain severity, pressure pain threshold, and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in healthy young adults. Two groups-those with and without smartphone addiction-are compared based on validated addiction scales and objective muscle assessments using MyotonPRO and algometry.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Aged between 18-30 years
Actively using a smartphone
Volunteer consent provided
Disqualifiers
Any diagnosed cervical spine pathology
Neurological, rheumatological, or psychiatric disease
Previous cervical surgery
Lack of cooperation or inability to understand instructions
Trial population
The study population consists of healthy young adults aged between 18 and 30 years who are active smartphone users. All participants were university students without any known neurological, rheumatological, psychiatric, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the cervical region. Individuals were classified into two groups based on their scores on the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF): smartphone-addicted and non-addicted. The population was chosen due to the increasing prevalence of smartphone use and associated postural complaints in this age group.
Trial design
Design model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Observational Assessment
Other interventionParticipants in both groups undergo a one-time diagnostic evaluation consisting of: Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF) Neck Disability Index (NDI) MyotonPRO measurement of cervical muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity Pressure pain threshold measurement using a handheld algometer Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) No therapeutic or behavioral intervention is applied. All procedures are non-invasive and conducted for observational purposes only.
Treatment groups
54 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Smartphone Addiction Group1 intervention
Group B: Non-Addicted Group1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Quantitative Muscle Mechanical Assessment
A handheld digital palpation device used to measure biomechanical properties of superficial cervical muscles (tone, stiffness, elasticity). Measurements are taken bilaterally from specific muscles (e.g., platysma, SCM, upper trapezius, suboccipital muscles) in a resting position.
Time frame
BaselineSecondary outcomes
1
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
A 10-item scale assessing the functional impact of neck pain on daily life, including activities such as driving, reading, work, sleep, and concentration. Each item is scored from 0-5; total scores reflect the severity of neck-related disability.
Time frame
Baseline2
Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF)
A 10-item, 6-point Likert-type scale used to classify participants as smartphone addicted or not. Validated cutoff values (≥31 for males, ≥33 for females) were used. This tool is used for group classification.
Time frame
Baseline3
Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS)
A 41-item, 5-point Likert scale evaluating participants' social media usage across four domains: preoccupation, emotional regulation, repetition, and conflict. It helps quantify social media behavior and its relation to neck dysfunction.
Time frame
Baseline4
Pressure Algometry
Pressure pain thresholds were measured using a handheld algometer on bilateral cervical muscles. Participants were instructed to indicate when pressure became painful. Each site was measured three times, and the mean was recorded. Values reflect tissue sensitivity.
Time frame
BaselineSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov