Completed

NCT Number: NCT07678398

Effects of a 12-Week Structured Badminton Intervention on Smartphone Addiction Among Adolescents

The global surge in smartphone addiction (SA) represents a critical biopsychosocial risk for adolescents. This study evaluated the efficacy of a 12-week structured badminton intervention in alleviating SA among high school students and explored the psychosocial mechanisms underlying behavioral change using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design.

Thirty adolescents were randomized into experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). The experimental group participated in an "open-skill" badminton program (6 sessions/week, 120-150 min/session) for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their routine lifestyle. Data were collected via the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis included paired/independent t-tests and ANCOVA, followed by inductive thematic analysis of qualitative data.

Quantitative findings revealed a highly significant reduction in SA levels within the experimental group (Mpre = 32.27 ± 10.25 vs. Mpost = 24.93 ± 7.13, p<.001), achieving a very large effect size (d= 1.84). No significant change was observed in the control group (p=.095). ANCOVA confirmed a robust intervention effect, F(1,27)= 52.04, p<.001, explaining 65.8% of the variance. Qualitative follow-up identified five core themes-life functionality, withdrawal, virtual social orientation, overuse, and tolerance-indicating that badminton served as a "temporal buffer" that enhanced self-regulation and real-world relatedness.

A 12-week structured badminton program is a potent non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating technological dependencies. This research provides an evidence-based framework for utilizing sport-specific interventions to foster adolescent psychological resilience. Furthermore, our findings emphasize that open-skill sports act as a socio-cognitive buffer, reclaiming adolescent attention from digital spaces and fostering a sustainable state of digital well-being.

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Key information

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction Level

Age range

14 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University

Erzincan, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Adolescents aged 14-18 years.
Enrollment in a secondary/high school institution.

Exclusion criteria

Presence of any musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, or medical condition that would prevent participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Current participation in a structured competitive sports training program.

Treatment and study plan

12-Week Structured Badminton Program

Behavioral

Participants assigned to the intervention group will participate in a structured badminton training program for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consists of six supervised sessions per week, each lasting approximately 120-150 minutes. Each session includes a standardized warm-up (30 minutes), badminton technical training and match play (60-90 minutes), and a cool-down period (30 minutes). The intervention is designed to increase regular physical activity, promote social interaction, and improve self-regulation through participation in an open-skill sport.

Primary outcomes

Smartphone Addiction Level

Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

Smartphone addiction will be assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). The SAS-SV consists of 10 items rated on a six-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 10 to 60. Higher scores indicate greater smartphone addiction severity.

Secondary outcomes

Participants' Experiences of Behavioral Change

Time frame: Week 12

Participants' experiences regarding changes in smartphone use, self-regulation, daily functioning, withdrawal symptoms, virtual social orientation, overuse, and tolerance will be explored through semi-structured interviews using inductive thematic analysis.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of a 12-Week Structured Badminton Intervention on Smartphone Addiction Among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Jul 1, 2026
Registry last updated: Jul 1, 2026

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

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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.