This study will aim to assess the effects of smartphone addiction on thumb muscle biomechanics and sensory sensitivity among university students. The research will investigate whether excessive smartphone use leads to significant differences in muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity, and sensory discrimination capabilities.
This will be a prospective, non-randomized, controlled observational study designed to examine the impact of smartphone addiction on the neuromuscular and sensory function of the thumbs. A total of 36 university students aged 18 to 30 will be recruited and categorized into two groups based on their scores from the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV): addicted and non-addicted. Participants' weekly screen times will be recorded, and the smartphone applications used will be categorized. The MyotonPro™ device will be used to measure the biomechanical properties of three thumb muscles (abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, and opponens pollicis) in both hands. Sensory function will be assessed bilaterally using the Baseline Aesthesiometer via two-point discrimination testing. This study will evaluate whether significant biomechanical or sensory changes are observable among addicted users compared to non-addicted users, and whether screen time is correlated with any muscular or sensory outcomes.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
36
There is no therapeutic or experimental intervention in this study. All procedures will be limited to diagnostic evaluations. The study will include non-invasive biomechanical and sensory assessments to compare the thumb muscle characteristics and sensory discrimination between smartphone-addicted and non-addicted university students. Specifically, muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity will be measured using the MyotonPro™ device, and thumb sensory sensitivity will be evaluated using a Baseline Aesthesiometer with a two-point discrimination test. These assessments will be conducted during a single laboratory visit and will not involve any treatment, medication, or behavioral intervention. This is a purely observational study aimed at identifying potential associations between smartphone usage patterns and thumb neuromuscular or sensory changes.
Esra Pehlivan
Istanbul, Üsküdar, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGMyotonPro™ Muscle Assessment
This device will be used to assess muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity in the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and flexor pollicis brevis muscles of both hands. Measurements will be performed with the participant in a standardized seated position.
Time frame: Baseline
Baseline Aesthesiometer Sensory Assessment
This instrument will be used to evaluate thumb sensory sensitivity through two-point discrimination testing on both hands. Participants will be blindfolded during the procedure and tested at the distal phalanx of the thumb.
Time frame: Baseline
Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV)
The Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) is a validated self-report questionnaire developed to assess the risk of smartphone addiction, particularly in adolescents and young adults. It consists of 10 items, each rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 10 to 60, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of smartphone addiction.
Time frame: Baseline
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