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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07694960

Digital Technology Use, Digit Ratio, and Handgrip Strength in University Students

This observational cross-sectional study examined associations among second-to-fourth digit ratio, handgrip strength, problematic smartphone-use symptoms, problematic Internet-use symptoms, and self-reported smartphone usage time in university students from different regional backgrounds. The analytic sample included 173 students aged 17-26 years from Turkish, Middle Asian, African, and Asian regional backgrounds. Participants completed validated self-report scales for smartphone-use and Internet-use symptoms, and underwent anthropometric, hand morphology, and handgrip strength measurements. The study did not involve randomization, treatment assignment, intervention, or follow-up.

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Key information

Conditions

Problematic Smartphone Use Behavior Behavior, Addictive Compulsive Behavior Healthy Volunteers Impulsive Behavior Internet Addiction Internet Addiction Disorder Technology Addiction

Age range

17 year–26 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

Balıkesir, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This exploratory observational cross-sectional study evaluated whether bilateral second-to-fourth digit ratio and handgrip strength were associated with smartphone-addiction symptom scores, Internet-addiction symptom scores, and self-reported smartphone usage time among university students from different regional backgrounds. The final analytic sample consisted of 173 participants aged 17-26 years, including Turkish, Middle Asian, African, and Asian students. Regional-background comparisons and sex-specific associations were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlation analyses, and sensitivity analyses adjusted for age and body mass index. The study was observational only and did not include any intervention, random allocation, treatment exposure, clinical procedure, or prospective follow-up.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • University students aged 17-26 years.
  • Classifiable sex and regional-background information.
  • Ability to understand the study procedures.
  • Written informed consent provided.
  • For participants younger than the legal age of majority, additional parent or legal guardian consent obtained according to institutional requirements.

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous finger operation.
  • Finger prosthesis.
  • Median, radial, or ulnar nerve deformity.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Developmental or mental disorder preventing participation or valid assessment.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Internet-addiction symptom score

    Time frame: At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

    Internet-addiction symptoms assessed using the Young Internet Addiction Scale-Short Form. Higher scores indicate greater Internet-use symptom severity.

  2. Smartphone-addiction symptom score

    Time frame: At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

    Smartphone-addiction symptoms assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Higher scores indicate greater smartphone-use symptom severity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Second-to-fourth digit ratio

    Time frame: At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

    Right and left second-to-fourth digit ratios calculated from index and ring finger lengths measured using a digital caliper.

  2. Handgrip strength

    Time frame: At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

    Right and left handgrip strength measured using an electronic handgrip dynamometer.

  3. Self-reported smartphone usage time

    Time frame: At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

    Daily smartphone usage time reported by participants in hours per day.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Inonu University

Other

Collaborators

  • Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University
  • Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University

Registry information

Official study title

Problematic Smartphone and Internet-Use Symptoms, Handgrip Strength, and Digit Ratio in University Students From Different Regional Backgrounds

Acronym: DTU-HGS

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jul 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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