Smartphone AddictionNCT06968078
Smartphone Addiction in University Students
An observational study of Smartphone Addiction, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Smartphone usage has increased significantly in the last decade and smartphones have changed our lives to a great extent. Smartphone usage has advantages as well as disadvantages and therefore brings phone addiction with it. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Smartphone Addiction
- How many people
- 105 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 4 May 2025to 15 Nov 2025
- 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 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Individuals who use smartphones and do not have any chronic diseases will be included in the study.
Who may be able to join
- Between the ages of 18-45
- Having a smartphone
- Volunteer to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Individuals reporting orthopaedic, neurological, psychiatric and otological diseases will not be included in the study.
- Also, individuals with diagnosed vertigo will not be included in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Karabuk University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center
Karabük
About this study
Official title: Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Neck Angle and Balance in University Students
Smartphone usage has increased significantly in the last decade and smartphones have changed our lives to a great extent. Smartphone usage has advantages as well as disadvantages and therefore brings phone addiction with it. Smartphone addiction is defined as excessive use of smartphones to the extent that it disturbs the daily lives of users. It has been stated in the literature that phone addiction can cause some disorders in individuals. Changes in neck posture and balance may be among the symptoms affected in this context. However, the relationship between excessive smartphone usage and neck proprioception, angle and balance is not clear in the literature. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck angle, proprioception and balance.
Read the detailed description
Smartphones are not only a source of communication, information and entertainment today, but are also used for taking photos, playing games and surfing the internet. For this reason, smartphone use is increasing. In addition to all these advantages, excessive use of smartphones also brings phone addiction. Smartphone addiction is defined as the excessive use of smartphones to the extent that they disturb the daily lives of users. Smartphone addiction causes various disorders in individuals for this reason. The most important of these disorders are neck pain, anxiety and visual fatigue. In addition, excessive phone use can cause problems in neck movements and change neck posture. Therefore, sensory functions can also be affected. However, when the literature is examined, the relationship between smartphone use and neck proprioception, angle and balance is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck angle, proprioception and balance and to compare these parameters according to smartphone addiction.
- Conditions
- Smartphone Addiction
- Medical subject headings
- Internet Addiction Disorder
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 |
|---|---|---|
| smartphone addict | It will consist of individuals identified as addicted according to the smartphone addiction scale. | |
| Normal | It will consist of individuals who are normally determined according to the smartphone addiction survey. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Smartphone addiction scale
It will be evaluated with The Smartphone Addiction Scale. The scale consists of 33 questions and is scored between 33-198. The higher the score, the higher the addiction.
Measured: Baseline
Neck posture
Neck posture will be evaluated using neck angle. The craniocervical angle of individuals will be evaluated using a photographic method.
Measured: Baseline
Neck proprioception
It will be evaluated with CROM. The deviation angle from 30 degrees will be recorded for flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and rotation. As the deviation angle increases, proprioception worsens.
Measured: Baseline
Body balance
Balance will be assessed with static posturography. With static posturography, participants will be subjected to open and closed eyes on hard and soft surfaces. In this way, the static balance skills of the participants will be determined.
Measured: Baseline
Dizziness imbalance
It will be evaluated with the Vertigo Dizziness Imbalanca-Symptom Scale. The scale consists of 14 items and is scored between 0-70. Lower scores indicate high symptom frequency.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 May 2025
- Study start4 May 2025
- Primary completion15 Nov 2025
- Study completion15 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Smartphone AddictionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 105 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Musa Güneş, Karabuk University
- Investigators
- Musa Gunes, Study director, Karabuk UniversityEmre Söylemez, PhD, Principal investigator, Karabuk UniversityAydın Sinan Apaydın, PhD, Principal investigator, Karabuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06968078
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Karabuk-004
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 4 May 2025
- Last updated
- 22 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Alhazmi AA, Alzahrani SH, Baig M, Salawati EM, Alkatheri A. Prevalence and factors associated with smartphone addiction among medical students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. Pak J Med Sci. 2018 Jul-Aug;34(4):984-988. doi: 10.12669/pjms.344.15294.
PubMed 30190766Kumar VA, Chandrasekaran V, Brahadeeswari H. Prevalence of smartphone addiction and its effects on sleep quality: A cross-sectional study among medical students. Ind Psychiatry J. 2019 Jan-Jun;28(1):82-85. doi: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_56_19. Epub 2019 Dec 11.
PubMed 31879452Gunes M, Soylemez E, Apaydin AS. The impact of excessive smartphone use on imbalance symptoms: The role of craniovertebral angle and cervical proprioception. Work. 2026 Aug;84(4):1157-1166. doi: 10.1177/10519815261432597. Epub 2026 Mar 17.
PubMed 41841467
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Neck Angle and Balance in University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06968078
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Karabuk-004
- Conditions
- Smartphone Addiction
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 105 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 May 2025 (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.
Smartphone usage has increased significantly in the last decade and smartphones have changed our lives to a great extent. Smartphone usage has advantages as well as disadvantages and therefore brings phone addiction with it. Smartphone addiction is defined as excessive use of smartphones to the extent that it disturbs the daily lives of users. It has been stated in the literature that phone addiction can cause some disorders in individuals. Changes in neck posture and balance may be among the symptoms affected in this context. However, the relationship between excessive smartphone usage and neck proprioception, angle and balance is not clear in the literature. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck angle, proprioception and balance.
Detailed description
Smartphones are not only a source of communication, information and entertainment today, but are also used for taking photos, playing games and surfing the internet. For this reason, smartphone use is increasing. In addition to all these advantages, excessive use of smartphones also brings phone addiction. Smartphone addiction is defined as the excessive use of smartphones to the extent that they disturb the daily lives of users. Smartphone addiction causes various disorders in individuals for this reason. The most important of these disorders are neck pain, anxiety and visual fatigue. In addition, excessive phone use can cause problems in neck movements and change neck posture. Therefore, sensory functions can also be affected. However, when the literature is examined, the relationship between smartphone use and neck proprioception, angle and balance is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck angle, proprioception and balance and to compare these parameters according to smartphone addiction.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| smartphone addict | – | –It will consist of individuals identified as addicted according to the smartphone addiction scale. |
| Normal | – | –It will consist of individuals who are normally determined according to the smartphone addiction survey. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Individuals who use smartphones and do not have any chronic diseases will be included in the study.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Between the ages of 18-45
- Having a smartphone
- Volunteer to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Individuals reporting orthopaedic, neurological, psychiatric and otological diseases will not be included in the study.
- Also, individuals with diagnosed vertigo will not be included in 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
Smartphone addiction scale
Time frame: Baseline
It will be evaluated with The Smartphone Addiction Scale. The scale consists of 33 questions and is scored between 33-198. The higher the score, the higher the addiction.
Neck posture
Time frame: Baseline
Neck posture will be evaluated using neck angle. The craniocervical angle of individuals will be evaluated using a photographic method.
Neck proprioception
Time frame: Baseline
It will be evaluated with CROM. The deviation angle from 30 degrees will be recorded for flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and rotation. As the deviation angle increases, proprioception worsens.
Body balance
Time frame: Baseline
Balance will be assessed with static posturography. With static posturography, participants will be subjected to open and closed eyes on hard and soft surfaces. In this way, the static balance skills of the participants will be determined.
Dizziness imbalance
Time frame: Baseline
It will be evaluated with the Vertigo Dizziness Imbalanca-Symptom Scale. The scale consists of 14 items and is scored between 0-70. Lower scores indicate high symptom frequency.
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 22 Apr 2026.
- Background: PubMed 30190766Alhazmi AA, Alzahrani SH, Baig M, Salawati EM, Alkatheri A. Prevalence and factors associated with smartphone addiction among medical students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. Pak J Med Sci. 2018 Jul-Aug;34(4):984-988. doi: 10.12669/pjms.344.15294.
- Background: PubMed 31879452Kumar VA, Chandrasekaran V, Brahadeeswari H. Prevalence of smartphone addiction and its effects on sleep quality: A cross-sectional study among medical students. Ind Psychiatry J. 2019 Jan-Jun;28(1):82-85. doi: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_56_19. Epub 2019 Dec 11.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41841467Gunes M, Soylemez E, Apaydin AS. The impact of excessive smartphone use on imbalance symptoms: The role of craniovertebral angle and cervical proprioception. Work. 2026 Aug;84(4):1157-1166. doi: 10.1177/10519815261432597. Epub 2026 Mar 17.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Musa Gunes study director
Karabuk University
Emre Söylemez, PhD principal investigator
Karabuk University
Aydın Sinan Apaydın, PhD principal investigator
Karabuk 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 Smartphone Addiction, run by Karabuk 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 2 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 22 Apr 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?
Smartphone addiction scale (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06968078, which also lists 3 linked publications.
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 22 Apr 2026.