Smartphone Addiction in University Students

Recruiting

• Conditions: Smartphone Addiction

• Registration Number: NCT06968078
• Lead Sponsor: Karabuk University

Brief 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. 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 Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study Start: 2025-05-04
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-05
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-13
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-13
• Primary Completion: 2025-08-15
• Study Completion: 2025-10-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 100

Inclusion Criteria

• Between the ages of 18-45
• Having a smartphone
• Volunteer to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• 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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Neck posture	Baseline	Neck posture will be evaluated using neck angle. The craniocervical angle of individuals will be evaluated using a photographic method.
Smartphone addiction scale	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 proprioception	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	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	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Karabuk University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center; 🇹🇷 Karabük, Turkey