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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05869175

Health Problems Caused by Technology Addiction in Preschool Children

Technological products are tools that make human life easier. Among these tools that have become an indispensable part of human life, smart devices, namely smart phones, tablets and computers, have a special place. It is seen that the time spent by both parents and children in the family with smart devices has increased for various reasons. This situation creates effects on the developmental processes of children.

In the literature, it is seen that children and adolescents are more exposed to digital technology. Preschoolers, unlike other children, are in the process of forming healthy habits that will continue to reflect their future quality of life. Incorrect posture in preschool and school-aged children can cause extremely serious health problems in adulthood, if not detected and removed in time. Knowledge of postural control and muscle strength can be important both for identifying children at high risk of falls and injury and for developing fall and injury prevention intervention programs.

More specifically, knowledge of a potential relationship between postural control and muscle strength can assist in tailoring specially designed injury and fall prevention intervention programs.

As a result, with the changing world, the age at which children start using technological devices is gradually decreasing, and as age increases, the duration of device use also increases. Provider, children's exposure to technology will be much longer than adults. There are no studies evaluating the relationship between technology addiction, posture disorder, balance and muscle strength in the preschool period. Generally, research has been done on technology addiction and posture disorder.

The aim of our research is not only to investigate the technology addiction and posture disorder of preschool children, but also to evaluate the relationship between future muscle strength and balance of the posture disorder that may occur.

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Key information

Conditions

Technology Addiction Behavior Behavior, Addictive Compulsive Behavior Impulsive Behavior

Age range

3 year–6 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Karabük University

Karabük, 78000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Technological products are tools that make human life easier. Among these tools that have become an indispensable part of human life, smart devices, namely smart phones, tablets and computers, have a special place. Considering the studies, the age at which children start using technological devices is gradually decreasing and their physical activity is decreasing more because they spend more time with technological devices and are more inactive due to the increase in technology addiction. This situation creates negative effects on the developmental processes of children. Some of these effects are postural disturbance, decreased muscle strength and balance. No study was found that evaluated the relationship between technology addiction, posture disorder, balance and muscle strength in the preschool period. Generally, research has been done on technology addiction and posture disorder.

The aim of this study is not only to investigate the technology addiction and posture disorder of preschool children, but also to evaluate the relationship between future muscle strength and balance of the posture disorder that may occur.

This study can increase the awareness of parents and teachers by detecting health problems such as posture disorder, decrease in muscle strength and balance that may occur due to technology addiction of preschool children, and it can benefit pre-school children to use technology in a beneficial way for their development, both mentally and physically.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Having consented to participate in the study by their parents
  • Having normal development
  • Absence of neurodevelopmental or neuromotor disability

Exclusion criteria

  • Those who were not approved by their parents to participate in the study.
  • Presence of neurodevelopmental or neuromotor disability
  • Children with physical or mental disabilities
  • Having an orthopedic or metabolic problem

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Problematic Technology Use scale for Children

    Time frame: First Day

    The scale was published as 26 items. The scale consists of four factors in total, eight items in the Continuity of Use sub-dimension, six items in the second sub-dimension, Resistance to Control, five items in the third sub-dimension, Impact on Development, and seven items in the fourth sub-dimension, Deprivation-Escape.

    In the score calculation of the scale, the statements changing from "I strongly disagree" to "I totally agree" are scored from 1 to 5. The score that can be obtained from the scale varies between 26 and 130. There is no reverse item in the measurement tool. The increase in the score obtained from the measurement tool indicates that the level of problematic technology use of the child increases. The validity and reliability study of the Turkish form of the scale was performed by Ahmet, Onder, and Omer (2022).

Secondary outcomes

  1. New York Posture Analysis

    Time frame: First Day

    Posture changes are observed in 13 different parts of the body, including head, neck, shoulder, back, waist, hip and ankle. According to the results of the observation, five (5) points are given if the person has a correct posture, three (3) points if the posture is moderately impaired, and one (1) point if there is a serious deterioration. The total score obtained as a result of the test varies between 13-65.

  2. Pediatric Balance Scale

    Time frame: First Day

    It includes sitting balance, standing balance, transition from sitting to standing/switching from standing to sitting, transfers, taking a step, reaching forward, reaching down, turning, stepping on a step. It consists of 14 items, each item is scored between 0-4. A score of 0 indicates that he cannot do the instruction, and a score of 4 indicates that he can do it without difficulty. The total score is between 0-56. A low total score indicates a decrease in the balance function.

  3. Muscle Strength

    Time frame: First Day

    After the tests are explained in a way that children can understand, they will be administered with three repetitions of trials and each test will be administered with 15-second rest intervals between tests to prevent fatigue. The isometric contraction force value obtained with the device resistance will be recorded three times and averaged. In all cases, trunk extensors and flexors, bilateral hip flexors, abductors, adductors, extensors, knee extensors and flexors, ankle dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscle strength values will be measured.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Technology Addiction and Posture Disorder, Balance and Muscle Strength in Preschool Children

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
May 22, 2023
Registry last updated
Jan 18, 2024

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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