Balance AssessmentNCT07151196
Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Posture, Body Awareness, Physical Activity, and Balance in University Students
An observational study of Balance Assessment and Postural Instability, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the effects of smartphone addiction (SA) on posture, body awareness, balance, and physical activity among university students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Balance Assessment, Postural Instability, Smartphone Addiction
- How many people
- 74 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2024to 1 Nov 2024
- 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 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Individuals who were students of Fenerbahçe University SHMYO Department of Dental Services or Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation were selected.
Who may be able to join
- Being a student of Fenerbahçe University SHMYO Department of Dental Services or Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Volunteering to participate in the study
- Having a smartphone
- Between the ages of 18 and 30
Who cannot join
- Having a neurological, orthopaedic or metabolic problem or disease that may affect balance, physical activity, posture or body awareness
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Fenerbahce University
Istanbul, ATASEHIR, 34000
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Posture, Body Awareness, Physical Activity and Balance in University Students
This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the effects of smartphone addiction (SA) on posture, body awareness, balance, and physical activity among university students. With the rising popularity of smartphones in recent years, there has been increasing concern about their potential role in postural impairments and balance issues. The study population includes first- and second-year students from the Departments of Dental Services and Therapy-Rehabilitation at Fenerbahçe University School of Health Services.
Smartphone addiction will be assessed using the short form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale; posture will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Chart; body awareness will be measured using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ); balance will be assessed with the Becure Balance System; and physical activity levels will be determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
The study hypothesizes that SA significantly affects these physical and sensory parameters. Based on a power analysis using G*Power, a total sample size of 55 participants was determined. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the impact of digital device use on the physical health of young adults.
Read the detailed description
Over the past decade, smartphones have gained widespread popularity across the globe. A recent study indicated that the prevalence of smartphone addiction (SA) among university students is 26.7% in males and 27.9% in females. The primary distinction between smartphones and earlier mobile phones is that smartphones have full internet access and allow users to easily download any application via modern operating system platforms. Thus, smartphones are increasingly regarded as handheld computers rather than traditional phones Despite the convenience they offer, the pathological use of smartphones has emerged as a new public health concern.
Among the major physical problems associated with excessive internet use-one of the key components of smartphone addiction-are visual disturbances, negative effects of radiation, and postural and skeletal disorders. A study conducted in 2021 demonstrated that smartphone use can lead to significant postural alterations in both sagittal and frontal spinal parameters.
Body awareness refers to an individual's ability to recognize their own body and is a reflection of sensory awareness, encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, and social dimensions. Increasing levels of smartphone addiction have been associated with impaired postural proprioceptive feedback and reduced capacity to maintain proper posture.
Balance is defined as the control of the body's center of gravity and can be described as the dynamic regulation of body posture to prevent falls. No study to date has been found in the literature specifically examining the relationship between smartphone addiction and balance.
Given this context, the current study aims to investigate the impact of smartphone addiction on posture, body awareness, and balance among university students.
- Keywords
- balance, smartphone addicition, postural ınstability
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 Smartphone Addiction | Duration of smartphone use, postural disorders, body awareness level, amount of physical activity and balance performance were evaluated in these individuals. | |
| group 2 non-smartphone addicts | Duration of smartphone use, postural disorders, body awareness level, amount of physical activity and balance performance were evaluated in these individuals. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
EVALUATION OF SMART PHONE ADDICTION
The participants were administered the Short Form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SF). This scale, developed by Kwon et al., was designed to assess the risk of smartphone addiction among adolescents and consists of 10 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale. The items were scored from 1 to 6, with total scores ranging from 10 to 60. Higher scores indicated a greater risk of addiction. The scale was unidimensional and had no subscales. In the Korean sample, the cutoff scores were 31 for males and 33 for females. In our study, the Turkish version of the scale, whose validity and reliability were established by Noyan et al., was used. Participants were classified as addicted or non-addicted based on the cutoff scores determined by Kwon et al. Additionally, the average daily screen time on participants' phones was recorded.
Measured: Day 1
POSTURE ASSESSMENT
The static postures of the participants were evaluated using the New York Posture Analysis. The New York Posture Analysis assessed postural changes in a total of 13 body regions, including the head, neck, shoulders, back, waist, hips, and ankles, through lateral and posterior observations. Each region was scored as 5 if there was no postural deviation, 3 for moderate deviation, and 1 for severe deviation. The scores from the thirteen regions were summed to obtain a total score ranging from 13 to 65. A total score equal to or greater than 45 was classified as very good; 40-44 as good; 30-39 as moderate; 20-29 as poor; and equal to or less than 19 as bad.
Measured: Day 1
EVALUATION OF BODY AWARENESS
Participants' body awareness was assessed using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), originally developed in 1989 by Shields, Mallory, and Simon, and later adapted into Turkish with established validity and reliability. The BAQ is designed to identify whether an individual has a normal or abnormal level of sensitivity to bodily processes. It consists of four subscales-attention to bodily changes and responses, sleep-wake cycle, prediction of illness onset, and prediction of bodily reactions-with a total of 18 items. Participants were asked to rate each item on a scale from 1 to 7 (1 = Not at all true for me, 7 = Completely true for me). The scale is evaluated using the total score, which can range from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 126. Higher total scores indicated greater body awareness.
Measured: Day 1
BALANCE ASSESSMENT
Static balance was assessed using the Becure Balance System, developed by engineers and physiotherapists as part of a TÜBİTAK project. Based on the WiiFit balance board with custom software, the system evaluated center of pressure distribution and postural sway. The protocol included three conditions: 30 seconds standing with eyes open, 30 seconds standing while using a smartphone (typing the Turkish National Anthem), and 30 seconds standing with eyes closed. Key parameters were changes in center of pressure and postural sway under each condition.
Measured: Day 1
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT
International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF):
The IPAQ-SF scoring involved calculating the time spent walking, performing moderate-intensity, and vigorous-intensity physical activities based on the 7-item questionnaire. Time spent sitting was assessed separately as a single item. The total score was calculated by combining the duration (minutes) and frequency (days) of walking, moderate, and vigorous physical activities.
Measured: Day 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Sep 2025
- Study start1 May 2024
- Primary completion1 May 2024
- Study completion1 Nov 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Balance AssessmentStudies 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
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 74 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Istinye University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, HÜSNA GÜZEL, Istinye University
- Investigators
- ELİF SENA DUSGUN, asst. prof., Study chair, FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTYBUSE SERT, PT,PhD (c), Study chair, MEDİPOL UNİVERSİTYYELİZ CİRAK, PT,PhD (c), Study director, FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTYHÜSNA GÜZEL, Principal investigator, FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTY
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07151196
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- istinyeuni
- Status last verified
- May 2024
- First submitted
- 7 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Posture, Body Awareness, Physical Activity and Balance in University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07151196
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- istinyeuni
- Keywords
- balance, smartphone addicition, postural ınstability
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 74 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Istinye University
- Study start
- 1 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Sep 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 descriptive cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the effects of smartphone addiction (SA) on posture, body awareness, balance, and physical activity among university students. With the rising popularity of smartphones in recent years, there has been increasing concern about their potential role in postural impairments and balance issues. The study population includes first- and second-year students from the Departments of Dental Services and Therapy-Rehabilitation at Fenerbahçe University School of Health Services.
Smartphone addiction will be assessed using the short form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale; posture will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Chart; body awareness will be measured using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ); balance will be assessed with the Becure Balance System; and physical activity levels will be determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
The study hypothesizes that SA significantly affects these physical and sensory parameters. Based on a power analysis using G*Power, a total sample size of 55 participants was determined. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the impact of digital device use on the physical health of young adults.
Detailed description
Over the past decade, smartphones have gained widespread popularity across the globe. A recent study indicated that the prevalence of smartphone addiction (SA) among university students is 26.7% in males and 27.9% in females. The primary distinction between smartphones and earlier mobile phones is that smartphones have full internet access and allow users to easily download any application via modern operating system platforms. Thus, smartphones are increasingly regarded as handheld computers rather than traditional phones Despite the convenience they offer, the pathological use of smartphones has emerged as a new public health concern.
Among the major physical problems associated with excessive internet use-one of the key components of smartphone addiction-are visual disturbances, negative effects of radiation, and postural and skeletal disorders. A study conducted in 2021 demonstrated that smartphone use can lead to significant postural alterations in both sagittal and frontal spinal parameters.
Body awareness refers to an individual's ability to recognize their own body and is a reflection of sensory awareness, encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, and social dimensions. Increasing levels of smartphone addiction have been associated with impaired postural proprioceptive feedback and reduced capacity to maintain proper posture.
Balance is defined as the control of the body's center of gravity and can be described as the dynamic regulation of body posture to prevent falls. No study to date has been found in the literature specifically examining the relationship between smartphone addiction and balance.
Given this context, the current study aims to investigate the impact of smartphone addiction on posture, body awareness, and balance among university students.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 Smartphone Addiction | – | –Duration of smartphone use, postural disorders, body awareness level, amount of physical activity and balance performance were evaluated in these individuals. |
| group 2 non-smartphone addicts | – | –Duration of smartphone use, postural disorders, body awareness level, amount of physical activity and balance performance were evaluated in these individuals. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Individuals who were students of Fenerbahçe University SHMYO Department of Dental Services or Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation were selected.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Being a student of Fenerbahçe University SHMYO Department of Dental Services or Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Volunteering to participate in the study
- Having a smartphone
- Between the ages of 18 and 30
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Having a neurological, orthopaedic or metabolic problem or disease that may affect balance, physical activity, posture or body awareness
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 SMART PHONE ADDICTION
Time frame: Day 1
The participants were administered the Short Form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SF). This scale, developed by Kwon et al., was designed to assess the risk of smartphone addiction among adolescents and consists of 10 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale. The items were scored from 1 to 6, with total scores ranging from 10 to 60. Higher scores indicated a greater risk of addiction. The scale was unidimensional and had no subscales. In the Korean sample, the cutoff scores were 31 for males and 33 for females. In our study, the Turkish version of the scale, whose validity and reliability were established by Noyan et al., was used. Participants were classified as addicted or non-addicted based on the cutoff scores determined by Kwon et al. Additionally, the average daily screen time on participants' phones was recorded.
POSTURE ASSESSMENT
Time frame: Day 1
The static postures of the participants were evaluated using the New York Posture Analysis. The New York Posture Analysis assessed postural changes in a total of 13 body regions, including the head, neck, shoulders, back, waist, hips, and ankles, through lateral and posterior observations. Each region was scored as 5 if there was no postural deviation, 3 for moderate deviation, and 1 for severe deviation. The scores from the thirteen regions were summed to obtain a total score ranging from 13 to 65. A total score equal to or greater than 45 was classified as very good; 40-44 as good; 30-39 as moderate; 20-29 as poor; and equal to or less than 19 as bad.
EVALUATION OF BODY AWARENESS
Time frame: Day 1
Participants' body awareness was assessed using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), originally developed in 1989 by Shields, Mallory, and Simon, and later adapted into Turkish with established validity and reliability. The BAQ is designed to identify whether an individual has a normal or abnormal level of sensitivity to bodily processes. It consists of four subscales-attention to bodily changes and responses, sleep-wake cycle, prediction of illness onset, and prediction of bodily reactions-with a total of 18 items. Participants were asked to rate each item on a scale from 1 to 7 (1 = Not at all true for me, 7 = Completely true for me). The scale is evaluated using the total score, which can range from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 126. Higher total scores indicated greater body awareness.
BALANCE ASSESSMENT
Time frame: Day 1
Static balance was assessed using the Becure Balance System, developed by engineers and physiotherapists as part of a TÜBİTAK project. Based on the WiiFit balance board with custom software, the system evaluated center of pressure distribution and postural sway. The protocol included three conditions: 30 seconds standing with eyes open, 30 seconds standing while using a smartphone (typing the Turkish National Anthem), and 30 seconds standing with eyes closed. Key parameters were changes in center of pressure and postural sway under each condition.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT
Time frame: Day 1
International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF): The IPAQ-SF scoring involved calculating the time spent walking, performing moderate-intensity, and vigorous-intensity physical activities based on the 7-item questionnaire. Time spent sitting was assessed separately as a single item. The total score was calculated by combining the duration (minutes) and frequency (days) of walking, moderate, and vigorous physical activities.
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 3 Sep 2025.
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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.
ELİF SENA DUSGUN, asst. prof. study chair
FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTY
BUSE SERT, PT,PhD (c) study chair
MEDİPOL UNİVERSİTY
YELİZ CİRAK, PT,PhD (c) study director
FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTY
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 Balance Assessment and Postural Instability, 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 4 inclusion and 1 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 3 Sep 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?
EVALUATION OF SMART PHONE ADDICTION (time frame: Day 1). 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?
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 3 Sep 2025.