HyperkyphosisNCT07047781
Smartphone Addiction and Thoracic Hyperkyphosis in Children
An observational study of Hyperkyphosis, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Smartphones are advanced devices that have evolved beyond basic calling and messaging functions, offering features comparable to computers due to the development of mobile operating systems. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 7 to 14 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Hyperkyphosis
- What is being tested?
- Assessment
- How many people
- 77 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 23 Jun 2025to 1 Aug 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 7 to 14 years
- All sexes
- Child
Study population: Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis.
Who may be able to join
- Being between 7-14 years old
- Using a smartphone for more than a year
- Daily smartphone usage time >60 minutes
Who cannot join
- Those who have had major surgery or trauma related to the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine and upper extremities
- Difficulty in perceiving commands
- Rigid deformity in the spine (Scheuermann Kyphosis)
- Congenital deformity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Thoracic Hyperkyphosis in Children
Smartphones are advanced devices that have evolved beyond basic calling and messaging functions, offering features comparable to computers due to the development of mobile operating systems. In addition to their technical capabilities, smartphones have become increasingly appealing to children, adolescents, and adults through continuously updated websites, applications, and social networks that provide access to current information and opportunities for social interaction.
Excessive use of smartphones and similar technological devices can be defined as mobile phone addiction or internet addiction. The risk of smartphone addiction is particularly high among children and adolescents. The prolonged use of smartphones, which are now an integral part of daily life, may negatively affect physical capacity, including the musculoskeletal system. Previous studies have shown that increased smartphone use is associated with neck/shoulder and upper extremity/back discomfort. This increased usage can lead to non-neutral spinal postures and sustained muscular loading. Due to the central role of the spine within the kinetic chain, postural changes and muscular strain in the spine may affect movement quality in both upper and lower segments. For example, excessive neck flexion while texting can have widespread effects on spinal alignment and function. Therefore, smartphone use may cause significant changes in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis.
Read more
Thoracic hyperkyphosis is commonly detected during adolescence and encompasses a range of spinal deformities from mild postural changes to rigid deformities accompanied by soft tissue and structural alterations. In children and adolescents, three main types of hyperkyphosis are observed: postural kyphosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, and congenital kyphosis.
Postural hyperkyphosis is the most common type. It results from the weakness of antigravity muscles responsible for upright posture, leading to curvature of the spine under external forces. This type of curvature is not rigid and can often be corrected voluntarily when the individual is instructed to stand upright. Postural hyperkyphosis typically occurs during adolescence and is characterized by a thoracic kyphosis angle generally below 65 degrees. It is a common yet often overlooked condition in healthy adolescents and can be identified through school screenings.
Today, the growing use of smartphones and the associated rise in technology addiction have contributed to the increasing prevalence of postural hyperkyphosis, which is caused by prolonged incorrect postures. It has also been reported that postural habits developed during childhood often persist into adulthood.
If left untreated, hyperkyphosis that begins in adolescence may continue into adulthood, potentially increasing healthcare expenditures. With the rising incidence of hyperkyphosis linked to smartphone addiction, it is crucial to address this deformity beginning in adolescence, both from a health and economic perspective. Many authorities advocate for the inclusion of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis in school screening programs. However, routine screenings for skeletal system problems are not conducted in schools. Moreover, the limited number of studies in this area have primarily focused on scoliosis, and to date, no screening studies have addressed hyperkyphosis specifically.
- Conditions
- Hyperkyphosis
- Being tested
- Assessment
- Keywords
- smartphone addiction, thoracic hyperkyphosis, posture
- Medical subject headings
- Kyphosis, Internet Addiction Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AssessmentOther
Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Receives: Other: Assessment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sociodemographic Status Assessment
The sociodemographic status of the participants will be recorded with an assessment form prepared by the researchers. Information on age, gender, dominant side, duration and habits of smartphone use,will be questioned. Participants' privacy will be respected throughout the study, and no photographs will be taken.
Measured: 4 weeks
Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form
Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form will be used to measure smartphone addiction. The smartphone addiction scale, developed to measure the risk of smartphone addiction in young people, is a six-point Likert-type scale consisting of 10 items with one factor (1: strongly disagree and 6: strongly 15 agree) and is based on self-reporting. The internal consistency and concurrent validity of the scale were confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.911. The total score is minimum 10 and maximum 60. It was evaluated that the risk of addiction increases as the score increases. In the Korean sample, the cut-off value was specified as 31 for men and 33 for women. Turkish validity and reliability studies were conducted by Noyan et al. in 2014.
Measured: 4 weeks
Flexicurve Ruler
Flexicurve Ruler will measure thoracic curvature and calculate kyphosis index. Kyphosis index is the value found by dividing the width of the thoracic curvature by its length.
Measured: 4 weeks
Wall-Occiput Distance
The increase in the thoracic kyphosis angle will be evaluated and recorded with the wall-occiput distance measurement. The distance between the occiput and the wall will be measured with a ruler while the individual to be tested is standing in contact with the wall.
Measured: 4 weeks
Posture analysis with Posture Screen Mobile Application
Posture analysis will be used to determine postural deviations that may occur in individuals. Posture analysis will be performed via the "Posture Screen" application, which can be accessed via smartphones.
Measured: 4 weeks
Range of Motion
Cervical region flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation movements, upper extremity shoulder flexion, extension movements, trunk flexion, lateral flexion and extension angles will be measured bilaterally with a digital goniometer. Measurements will be repeated 3 times and the average value will be recorded in degrees
Measured: 4 weeks
The shortness of the pectoral muscles
The shortness of the pectoral muscles will be evaluated with a tape measure.
Measured: 4 weeks
Sit-Reach test
The shortness of the hamstring muscle will be evaluated with the Sit-Reach test.
Measured: 4 weeks
Satisfaction with Body Image
There is no scale specific to hyperkyphosis deformity in the literature that evaluates individuals' perception of satisfaction with their body image. In the existing studies in the literature, a numerical scale between 0 and 10 was used to evaluate how the perception of satisfaction with body image changes in hyperkyphosis deformity. According to the scale, 0 represents very satisfied with appearance, while 10 represents not satisfied with appearance at all.
Measured: 4 weeks
Height
The vertical distance from the top of the head to the heels of the individual. It will be measured in centimeters.
Measured: 4 weeks
Weight
The mass of the individual's body in relation to gravity. It will be expressed in kilograms.
Measured: 4 weeks
Waist Circumference
A circumferential measurement taken with a tape measure at the narrowest point of the waist, or at the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest, to assess abdominal fat distribution. It will be measured in centimeters.
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jul 2025
- Study start23 Jun 2025
- Primary completion1 Aug 2025
- Study completion1 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HyperkyphosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istinye 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
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 77 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kubra Koce, Istinye University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07047781
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 23/114
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 21 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- 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 21 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Thoracic Hyperkyphosis in Children
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07047781
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 23/114
- Conditions
- Hyperkyphosis
- Keywords
- smartphone addiction, thoracic hyperkyphosis, posture
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 77 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Jul 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.
Smartphones are advanced devices that have evolved beyond basic calling and messaging functions, offering features comparable to computers due to the development of mobile operating systems. In addition to their technical capabilities, smartphones have become increasingly appealing to children, adolescents, and adults through continuously updated websites, applications, and social networks that provide access to current information and opportunities for social interaction.
Excessive use of smartphones and similar technological devices can be defined as mobile phone addiction or internet addiction. The risk of smartphone addiction is particularly high among children and adolescents. The prolonged use of smartphones, which are now an integral part of daily life, may negatively affect physical capacity, including the musculoskeletal system. Previous studies have shown that increased smartphone use is associated with neck/shoulder and upper extremity/back discomfort. This increased usage can lead to non-neutral spinal postures and sustained muscular loading. Due to the central role of the spine within the kinetic chain, postural changes and muscular strain in the spine may affect movement quality in both upper and lower segments. For example, excessive neck flexion while texting can have widespread effects on spinal alignment and function. Therefore, smartphone use may cause significant changes in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis.
Thoracic hyperkyphosis is commonly detected during adolescence and encompasses a range of spinal deformities from mild postural changes to rigid deformities accompanied by soft tissue and structural alterations. In children and adolescents, three main types of hyperkyphosis are observed: postural kyphosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, and congenital kyphosis.
Postural hyperkyphosis is the most common type. It results from the weakness of antigravity muscles responsible for upright posture, leading to curvature of the spine under external forces. This type of curvature is not rigid and can often be corrected voluntarily when the individual is instructed to stand upright. Postural hyperkyphosis typically occurs during adolescence and is characterized by a thoracic kyphosis angle generally below 65 degrees. It is a common yet often overlooked condition in healthy adolescents and can be identified through school screenings.
Today, the growing use of smartphones and the associated rise in technology addiction have contributed to the increasing prevalence of postural hyperkyphosis, which is caused by prolonged incorrect postures. It has also been reported that postural habits developed during childhood often persist into adulthood.
If left untreated, hyperkyphosis that begins in adolescence may continue into adulthood, potentially increasing healthcare expenditures. With the rising incidence of hyperkyphosis linked to smartphone addiction, it is crucial to address this deformity beginning in adolescence, both from a health and economic perspective. Many authorities advocate for the inclusion of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis in school screening programs. However, routine screenings for skeletal system problems are not conducted in schools. Moreover, the limited number of studies in this area have primarily focused on scoliosis, and to date, no screening studies have addressed hyperkyphosis specifically.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | – | Other: AssessmentIndividuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 7 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Being between 7-14 years old
- Using a smartphone for more than a year
- Daily smartphone usage time >60 minutes
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Those who have had major surgery or trauma related to the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine and upper extremities
- Difficulty in perceiving commands
- Rigid deformity in the spine (Scheuermann Kyphosis)
- Congenital deformity
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AssessmentIndividuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis. | Other | Group 1 |
Primary outcome
Sociodemographic Status Assessment
Time frame: 4 weeks
The sociodemographic status of the participants will be recorded with an assessment form prepared by the researchers. Information on age, gender, dominant side, duration and habits of smartphone use,will be questioned. Participants' privacy will be respected throughout the study, and no photographs will be taken.
Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form
Time frame: 4 weeks
Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form will be used to measure smartphone addiction. The smartphone addiction scale, developed to measure the risk of smartphone addiction in young people, is a six-point Likert-type scale consisting of 10 items with one factor (1: strongly disagree and 6: strongly 15 agree) and is based on self-reporting. The internal consistency and concurrent validity of the scale were confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.911. The total score is minimum 10 and maximum 60. It was evaluated that the risk of addiction increases as the score increases. In the Korean sample, the cut-off value was specified as 31 for men and 33 for women. Turkish validity and reliability studies were conducted by Noyan et al. in 2014.
Flexicurve Ruler
Time frame: 4 weeks
Flexicurve Ruler will measure thoracic curvature and calculate kyphosis index. Kyphosis index is the value found by dividing the width of the thoracic curvature by its length.
Wall-Occiput Distance
Time frame: 4 weeks
The increase in the thoracic kyphosis angle will be evaluated and recorded with the wall-occiput distance measurement. The distance between the occiput and the wall will be measured with a ruler while the individual to be tested is standing in contact with the wall.
Posture analysis with Posture Screen Mobile Application
Time frame: 4 weeks
Posture analysis will be used to determine postural deviations that may occur in individuals. Posture analysis will be performed via the "Posture Screen" application, which can be accessed via smartphones.
Range of Motion
Time frame: 4 weeks
Cervical region flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation movements, upper extremity shoulder flexion, extension movements, trunk flexion, lateral flexion and extension angles will be measured bilaterally with a digital goniometer. Measurements will be repeated 3 times and the average value will be recorded in degrees
The shortness of the pectoral muscles
Time frame: 4 weeks
The shortness of the pectoral muscles will be evaluated with a tape measure.
Sit-Reach test
Time frame: 4 weeks
The shortness of the hamstring muscle will be evaluated with the Sit-Reach test.
Satisfaction with Body Image
Time frame: 4 weeks
There is no scale specific to hyperkyphosis deformity in the literature that evaluates individuals' perception of satisfaction with their body image. In the existing studies in the literature, a numerical scale between 0 and 10 was used to evaluate how the perception of satisfaction with body image changes in hyperkyphosis deformity. According to the scale, 0 represents very satisfied with appearance, while 10 represents not satisfied with appearance at all.
Height
Time frame: 4 weeks
The vertical distance from the top of the head to the heels of the individual. It will be measured in centimeters.
Weight
Time frame: 4 weeks
The mass of the individual's body in relation to gravity. It will be expressed in kilograms.
Waist Circumference
Time frame: 4 weeks
A circumferential measurement taken with a tape measure at the narrowest point of the waist, or at the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest, to assess abdominal fat distribution. It will be measured in centimeters.
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 21 Aug 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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
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 Hyperkyphosis, run by Istinye 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 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Aug 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?
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?
Sociodemographic Status Assessment (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 12 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 21 Aug 2025.