Smartphone AddictionNCT07038980
Smartphone Addiction and Cervical Muscular Health
An observational study of Smartphone Addiction and Neck Pain, run by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Smartphone Addiction, Neck Pain
- What is being tested?
- Observational Assessment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 26 Jun 2025to 1 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 30 years
- All sexes
- Adult
Study 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.
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18-30 years
- Actively using a smartphone
- Volunteer consent provided
Who cannot join
- Any diagnosed cervical spine pathology
- Neurological, rheumatological, or psychiatric disease
- Previous cervical surgery
- Lack of cooperation or inability to understand instructions
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
Istanbul, Üsküdar, 34668
Esra Pehlivan, Associate Professor, 02164189616, fztesrakambur@yahoo.com
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Neck Pain and the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Neck Muscles in Young Adults
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.
Read the detailed description
Smartphone addiction has become increasingly prevalent among young adults, often accompanied by poor posture and musculoskeletal complaints. This study aims to identify the differences in neck-related pain, disability, and mechanical muscle characteristics between addicted and non-addicted individuals. Participants are assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF), Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), MyotonPRO for muscle tone/stiffness/elastance, and pressure algometry. The findings may contribute to the development of ergonomic and behavioral strategies for musculoskeletal health preservation in digital device users.
- Conditions
- Smartphone Addiction, Neck Pain
- Being tested
- Observational Assessment
- Medical subject headings
- Internet Addiction Disorder, Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Observational AssessmentOther
Participants 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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Addiction Group | Participants scoring above the cutoff values on the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (≥31 for males, ≥33 for females). Receives: Other: Observational Assessment | |
| Non-Addicted Group | Participants who do not meet the addiction criteria according to the SAS-SF. These individuals demonstrate regular or low smartphone use and serve as a comparative control group for musculoskeletal outcomes. Receives: Other: Observational Assessment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (4)
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.
Measured: Baseline
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.
Measured: Baseline
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.
Measured: Baseline
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.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Jun 2025
- Study start26 Jun 2025
- Primary completion1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Smartphone AddictionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Saglik Bilimleri UniversitesiThe 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
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, ESRA PEHLIVAN, Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07038980
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Smartphone Addiction&Neck
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 27 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Neck Pain and the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Neck Muscles in Young Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07038980
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Smartphone Addiction&Neck
- Conditions
- Smartphone Addiction, Neck Pain
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Saglik Bilimleri UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 26 Jun 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.
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.
Detailed description
Smartphone addiction has become increasingly prevalent among young adults, often accompanied by poor posture and musculoskeletal complaints. This study aims to identify the differences in neck-related pain, disability, and mechanical muscle characteristics between addicted and non-addicted individuals. Participants are assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF), Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), MyotonPRO for muscle tone/stiffness/elastance, and pressure algometry. The findings may contribute to the development of ergonomic and behavioral strategies for musculoskeletal health preservation in digital device users.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Addiction Group | – | Other: Observational AssessmentParticipants scoring above the cutoff values on the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (≥31 for males, ≥33 for females). |
| Non-Addicted Group | – | Other: Observational AssessmentParticipants who do not meet the addiction criteria according to the SAS-SF. These individuals demonstrate regular or low smartphone use and serve as a comparative control group for musculoskeletal outcomes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study 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.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged between 18-30 years
- Actively using a smartphone
- Volunteer consent provided
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Any diagnosed cervical spine pathology
- Neurological, rheumatological, or psychiatric disease
- Previous cervical surgery
- Lack of cooperation or inability to understand instructions
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Observational AssessmentParticipants 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. | Other | Non-Addicted Group, Smartphone Addiction Group |
Primary outcome
Quantitative Muscle Mechanical Assessment
Time frame: Baseline
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.
4 secondary outcomes
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time frame: Baseline
Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF)
Time frame: Baseline
Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS)
Time frame: Baseline
Pressure Algometry
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Jun 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
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 and Neck Pain, run by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi 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 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jun 2025. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Quantitative Muscle Mechanical Assessment (time frame: Baseline). 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 27 Jun 2025.