Smartphone Addiction and Cervical Muscular Health

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi54 enrolled

Overview

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.

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 Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction Neck Pain

Interventions

Observational AssessmentOTHER

Participants in both groups undergo a one-time diagnostic evaluation consisting of: Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF) Neck Disability Index (NDI) MyotonPRO measurement of cervical muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity Pressure pain threshold measurement using a handheld algometer Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) No therapeutic or behavioral intervention is applied. All procedures are non-invasive and conducted for observational purposes only.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Istanbul, Üsküdar, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Quantitative Muscle Mechanical Assessment

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.

Time frame: Baseline

Secondary Outcomes

Neck Disability Index (NDI)

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.

Time frame: Baseline

Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form (SAS-SF)

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.

Time frame: Baseline

Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS)

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.

Time frame: Baseline

Pressure Algometry

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.

Time frame: Baseline

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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