Effect of Smartphone Overuse on Hand Strength and Function in Physical Therapy Students

Completed

• Conditions: Smartphone Addiction
• Interventions: Other: Evaluating wrist flexor and extensor peak torque; Other: Evaluating functional disability; Other: Evaluating hand grip strength

• Registration Number: NCT06497257
• Lead Sponsor: Cairo University

Brief Summary

The present study aimed to measure wrist flexor and extensor muscle strength, hand grip strength, wrist pain and function in smartphone addicts and non-addicts

Detailed Description

Smartphones have become ubiquitous worldwide, offering significant potential for medical applications by providing healthcare professionals and students with instant access to resources for informed decision-making. However, despite their benefits, overuse of smartphones can lead to physical health issues. Grip strength is recognized as an indicator of overall muscle strength, upper limb function, and various health conditions. Isokinetic testing, a reliable method for measuring muscle performance, has been widely used in studying low back pain but less commonly applied to wrist strength assessment.

Currently, there is a lack of evidence regarding the impact of smartphone overuse on wrist flexor and extensor peak torque, handgrip strength, and function. This research aims to investigate these aspects, providing insights into upper extremity function and potentially aiding ergonomists in addressing musculoskeletal disorders. The study's findings could contribute to the biomechanical evaluation and design of upper extremity tasks, enhance understanding of wrist functioning, and inform ergonomic design considerations. Additionally, the results may help smartphone users adopt better postures and grasping techniques to minimize injuries and maintain hand function, ultimately improving their quality of life.

Basic Information
|
Recruitment & Eligibility
|
Study & Design
|
Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-06-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-07-09
• Study Start: 2024-07-10
• Study First Posted: 2024-07-11
• Status Verified: 2024-08
• Primary Completion: 2024-08-10
• Study Completion: 2024-08-20
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-08-26
• Last Update Posted: 2024-08-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Age of subjects 18 to 25 years.
• Body mass index from 18, but less than 25 kg/m2.
• Experimental group, healthy subjects who are smartphone users for at least two years prior to study.

Read More

Exclusion Criteria

• Subjects with a history of neurological disorder affecting the upper extremities, vestibular dysfunction, or balance disorder.
• Deformities of elbow or hand.
• Any recent upper limb fracture or trauma.
• Disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy or tendinopathy.
• Individuals going to the gym or athletes.
• Individuals who smoke.
• Subjects who had cognitive, linguistic or vision impairment which limited their use of instruments and questionnaire.

Read More

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Group of low-frequency smartphone users	Evaluating functional disability	Male and female subjects, who are low-frequency smartphone users.
Group of low-frequency smartphone users	Evaluating hand grip strength	Male and female subjects, who are low-frequency smartphone users.
Group of high-frequency smartphone users	Evaluating hand grip strength	Male and female subjects, who are high-frequency smartphone users at least for two years before the study.
Group of low-frequency smartphone users	Evaluating wrist flexor and extensor peak torque	Male and female subjects, who are low-frequency smartphone users.
Group of high-frequency smartphone users	Evaluating wrist flexor and extensor peak torque	Male and female subjects, who are high-frequency smartphone users at least for two years before the study.
Group of high-frequency smartphone users	Evaluating functional disability	Male and female subjects, who are high-frequency smartphone users at least for two years before the study.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Measurement of hand grip strength	1 month	It will be measured by a JAMAR Handheld Dynamometer.
Measurement of wrist flexor peak torque	1 month	It will be measured by the Biodex system 3 pro isokinetic dynamometer.
Measurement of wrist extensor peak torque	1 month	It will be measured by the Biodex system 3 pro isokinetic dynamometer.
Assessment of functional disability	1 month	It will be assessed by the patient-related wrist and hand evaluation (PRWHE) questionnaire.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nouran Mohamed Saad; 🇪🇬 Cairo, Egypt