PostureNCT05098626
Investigation of Spinal Health and Internet Addiction of Individuals Working Remotely
An observational study of Posture and Spine, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Low back pain and neck pain are common problems that affect people at certain times in their lives. These people constitute a significant part of the disease burden due to their recurrent complaints. People with low back and neck pain often seek medical attention. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Posture, Spine, Internet Addiction
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 4 Jan 2022to 2 Feb 2023
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Individuals working remotely during the pandemic
Who may be able to join
- Working online during the pandemic process,
- Have a smart phone,
- Agree to voluntarily participate in the research.
Who cannot join
- Have a malignant condition,
- Loss of function due to neurological or systemic disease,
- Having had a surgical operation in the last 6 months,
- Have an unhealed fracture,
- Withdraw consent at any stage of the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Ankara
About this study
Low back pain and neck pain are common problems that affect people at certain times in their lives. These people constitute a significant part of the disease burden due to their recurrent complaints. People with low back and neck pain often seek medical attention. This situation causes individuals to apply to the hospital frequently and causes a serious cost at the social level.
When the risk factors for neck pain are examined, many factors such as genetics, sleep problems, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, previous neck pain, trauma, back pain and poor general health cause neck pain to develop. Similarly, conditions such as age, obesity, and poor general health appear to be risk factors for low back pain. In addition to these risk factors, it has been reported that occupational factors such as long and sedentary working hours and unsuitable workplace conditions may also cause low back and neck pain. Fixed posture and prolonged sitting are thought to be risk factors for low back and neck pain, but opinions on this subject are not clear.
Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis since 2019 and caused a change in the lifestyle of all people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that social distance should be increased and face-to-face contact should be reduced to prevent the spread of the pandemic. For this reason, many institutions have decided to work remotely and trainings have been carried out remotely. The increasing teleworking style with the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the average screen time of individuals. It was reported that time spent on the Internet increased by 52% compared to the pre-pandemic period.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between increased teleworking hours and internet use during the pandemic period in individuals with low back or neck pain. Researchers think that postural changes that may occur with increased distance working time, increased fixed posture and asymmetrical loading may contribute to the uncertain relationship between low back and neck pain and posture.
- Conditions
- Posture, Spine, Internet Addiction, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Posture, Spine, Neck pain, Low back pain, Screen time, Internet addiction
- Medical subject headings
- Internet Addiction Disorder, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals Working Remotely | Individuals aged between 18-60 and working remotely, who volunteered to participate in the study, will form the study group. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evaluation of Craniovertebral Angle
Global Postural System (GPS) will be used for posture evaluation. GPS is a computerized photographic postural assessment system. It consists of a digital camera, a ruler frame, and a stable platform that allows for consistent landmark identification. The craniovertebral angle will be recorded, which provides the most relevant and reproducible data in the assessment of neck posture with GPS. The craniovertebral angle is the angle between a line drawn between the C7 vertebra and the tragus and a horizontal line drawn from C7
Measured: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Sternocleidomastoideus Muscle Architecture
Sternocleidomastoideus muscle will be architecturally evaluated by US using a 5-12 MHz linear probe (GE Logiq E5 ultrasound device) at rest and during muscle activation. Muscle thickness and pennation angle will be recorded.
Measured: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Internet Addiction
This evaluation will be carried out using the Kimberly Young Internet Addiction Questionnaire. The questionnaire consisting of 20 items; evaluate their dependencies in personal, professional and social functions. The questions are scored between 0 and 5 points. A total score between 0 and 30 indicates a normal level of internet use, total scores between 31 and 49 indicate the presence of mild addiction, a total score between 50 and 79 indicates the presence of a moderate level of addiction, and a total score of over 80 indicates the presence of severe internet addiction.
Measured: 10 minutes, in one assessment session.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Evaluation of the Time Spent in Front of the Screen
he time spent in front of the screen will be evaluated by questioning the average time spent by people on three different devices as computer, tablet and phone use.
Measured: 2 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index (BMI), muscular and fat body weights will be assessed with TANITA BC420SMA (Tanita Corp, Tokyo, Japan). TANITA is a medically approved and reliable measuring device. It determines body composition by taking advantage of changes in bioelectrical resistance.
Measured: 2 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Low Back Disability
It was developed to evaluate the level of functional loss in individuals with low back pain. The scale consists of 10 questions about pain intensity, self-care, lifting-carrying, walking, sitting, standing, sleep, degree of change in pain, travel and social life. Each question is scored between 0-5 points. The total score is evaluated out of 100. A high score means an increased level of disability.
Measured: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Neck Disability
The Neck Disability Questionnaire includes a total of 10 questions about pain, personal care, concentration, work, driving, and sleeping. Each question is scored between 0-5 points. 0-4 points means no disability, 5-14 points means mild disability, 15-24 points means moderate disability, 25-34 points means severe disability, 35 points and above means complete disability. The total score is evaluated out of 50.
Measured: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Oct 2021
- Study start4 Jan 2022
- Primary completion20 Jan 2023
- Study completion2 Feb 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hacettepe UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Aybüke Fanuscu, Hacettepe University
- Investigators
- Yasemin Özel Aslıyüce, MSc, Study chair, Hacettepe UniversityDilara Onan, MSc, Study chair, Hacettepe UniversityMüzeyyen Öz, MSc, Study chair, Hacettepe UniversityÖzlem Ülger, Professor, Study director, Hacettepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05098626
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HUSpine013
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Oct 2021
- Last updated
- 15 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of Spinal Health and Internet Addiction of Individuals Working Remotely
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05098626
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HUSpine013
- Conditions
- Posture, Spine, Internet Addiction, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Posture, Spine, Neck pain, Low back pain, Screen time, Internet addiction
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Feb 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Low back pain and neck pain are common problems that affect people at certain times in their lives. These people constitute a significant part of the disease burden due to their recurrent complaints. People with low back and neck pain often seek medical attention. This situation causes individuals to apply to the hospital frequently and causes a serious cost at the social level.
When the risk factors for neck pain are examined, many factors such as genetics, sleep problems, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, previous neck pain, trauma, back pain and poor general health cause neck pain to develop. Similarly, conditions such as age, obesity, and poor general health appear to be risk factors for low back pain. In addition to these risk factors, it has been reported that occupational factors such as long and sedentary working hours and unsuitable workplace conditions may also cause low back and neck pain. Fixed posture and prolonged sitting are thought to be risk factors for low back and neck pain, but opinions on this subject are not clear.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis since 2019 and caused a change in the lifestyle of all people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that social distance should be increased and face-to-face contact should be reduced to prevent the spread of the pandemic. For this reason, many institutions have decided to work remotely and trainings have been carried out remotely. The increasing teleworking style with the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the average screen time of individuals. It was reported that time spent on the Internet increased by 52% compared to the pre-pandemic period.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between increased teleworking hours and internet use during the pandemic period in individuals with low back or neck pain. Researchers think that postural changes that may occur with increased distance working time, increased fixed posture and asymmetrical loading may contribute to the uncertain relationship between low back and neck pain and posture.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals Working Remotely | – | –Individuals aged between 18-60 and working remotely, who volunteered to participate in the study, will form the study group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Individuals working remotely during the pandemic
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Working online during the pandemic process,
- Have a smart phone,
- Agree to voluntarily participate in the research.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Have a malignant condition,
- Loss of function due to neurological or systemic disease,
- Having had a surgical operation in the last 6 months,
- Have an unhealed fracture,
- Withdraw consent at any stage of the study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Evaluation of Craniovertebral Angle
Time frame: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Global Postural System (GPS) will be used for posture evaluation. GPS is a computerized photographic postural assessment system. It consists of a digital camera, a ruler frame, and a stable platform that allows for consistent landmark identification. The craniovertebral angle will be recorded, which provides the most relevant and reproducible data in the assessment of neck posture with GPS. The craniovertebral angle is the angle between a line drawn between the C7 vertebra and the tragus and a horizontal line drawn from C7
Evaluation of Sternocleidomastoideus Muscle Architecture
Time frame: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Sternocleidomastoideus muscle will be architecturally evaluated by US using a 5-12 MHz linear probe (GE Logiq E5 ultrasound device) at rest and during muscle activation. Muscle thickness and pennation angle will be recorded.
Evaluation of Internet Addiction
Time frame: 10 minutes, in one assessment session.
This evaluation will be carried out using the Kimberly Young Internet Addiction Questionnaire. The questionnaire consisting of 20 items; evaluate their dependencies in personal, professional and social functions. The questions are scored between 0 and 5 points. A total score between 0 and 30 indicates a normal level of internet use, total scores between 31 and 49 indicate the presence of mild addiction, a total score between 50 and 79 indicates the presence of a moderate level of addiction, and a total score of over 80 indicates the presence of severe internet addiction.
4 secondary outcomes
Evaluation of the Time Spent in Front of the Screen
Time frame: 2 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Body Mass Index
Time frame: 2 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Low Back Disability
Time frame: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Evaluation of Neck Disability
Time frame: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Posture
Recruiting
Effect of Kendall Versus McKenzie Exercises in Patients With Upper Crossed Syndrome
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Recruiting
Impact of rTMS on Abnormal Cortical fMRI in Patients With Dystonia
Dystonia Disorder
Active, not recruiting
Effects of Subtalar Mobilization With and Without Foot Core Strengthening in Chronic Plantar Heel Pain
Chronic Plantar Heel Pain
Recruiting
Effects of Custom 3D Printed Insoles and Short Foot Exercises in Pes Planus
Pes Planus
Recruiting
Effects of Feldenkrais Approach in Cases With Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Yasemin Özel Aslıyüce, MSc study chair
Hacettepe University
Dilara Onan, MSc study chair
Hacettepe University
Müzeyyen Öz, MSc study chair
Hacettepe University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Posture and Spine, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evaluation of Craniovertebral Angle (time frame: 5 minutes, in one assessment session.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Jul 2026.