Smartphone Addiction and Cervical Muscular Health

Recruiting

• Conditions: Smartphone Addiction; Neck Pain

• Registration Number: NCT07038980
• Lead Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Brief 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. 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 Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-18
• Study Start: 2025-06-26
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-26
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-26
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-27
• Primary Completion: 2026-07-01
• Study Completion: 2026-07-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 54

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged between 18-30 years
• Actively using a smartphone
• Volunteer consent provided

Exclusion Criteria

• Any diagnosed cervical spine pathology
• Neurological, rheumatological, or psychiatric disease
• Previous cervical surgery
• Lack of cooperation or inability to understand instructions

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Quantitative Muscle Mechanical Assessment	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.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Neck Disability Index (NDI)	Baseline	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.
Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF)	Baseline	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.
Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS)	Baseline	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.
Pressure Algometry	Baseline	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi; 🇹🇷 İstanbul, Üsküdar, Turkey