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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06408766

Investigating the Effects of Smartphone Use on the Masseter Muscle

The aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term effects of smartphone use on the masseter muscle. In the short term, to investigate whether repetitive thumb movements during phone use will cause a spontaneous muscle activation and/or tenderness in the masseter muscle; in the long term, to investigate the relationship between strength change and tenderness of the tenar and masseter muscles depending on the intensity and duration of phone use.

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Key information

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction Behavior Behavior, Addictive Compulsive Behavior Impulsive Behavior Internet Addiction Disorder Masseter Muscle Hypertrophy Masseter Muscle Spasm Masticatory Muscles, Hypertrophy of Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Spasm Technology Addiction Trismus

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University

Balıkesir, Bandirma, 10200, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

A total of 120 healthy university students aged 18-30 years at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University will be included in our study. Descriptive data form, Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form, Edinburg Hand Preference Inventory, pressure pain threshold, muscle activity, lateral grip strength, hand grip strength will be evaluated in the participant students.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Smartphone users students between the ages of 18-30 years
  • Students whose voluntary informed consent was obtained

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals undergoing masseter botox application
  • Individuals diagnosed with TMJ disorder and/or bruxism
  • Individuals with musculoskeletal problems with evidence of a systemic, specific pathologic condition such as fracture of the hand, finger, upper extremity and/or TMJ, rheumatoid disease
  • Individuals who have undergone any surgical operation related to hand, finger, upper extremity and/or TMJ problem
  • Individuals with less than 6 months of physiotherapy and rehabilitation services related to hand, finger, upper extremity and/or TMJ
  • Individuals with facial paralysis
  • Individuals with diagnosed psychiatric illness.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form

    Time frame: 4 months

    In our study, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form will be filled out to evaluate the intensity of smartphone use of students, and the daily duration of smartphone use will be recorded. This scale consists of 10 6-point Likert-type items used to measure the risk of smartphone addiction. Scores on the scale range from 10-60, with an increase in score indicating an increased risk for smartphone addiction. The cut-off score of the scale was determined as 31 for men and 33 for women in the Korean sample.

  2. Edinburg Hand Preference Inventory

    Time frame: 4 months

    Edinburg Hand Preference Inventory will be used to determine the dominant hand in our study. This scale asks which hand is used while performing 10 activities such as "writing", "drawing", "brushing teeth", "holding a fork (while eating)". For each activity; left hand preference is -10 points, right hand preference is +10 points and both hand preference is 0 points. After hand preference for all activities, the highest score that individuals can get is +100 and the lowest score is -100. A "negative" score is in favor of "left-handedness" and a "positive" score is in favor of "right-handedness". According to this scoring, individuals with a score between "+40 and +100" are recorded as "right-handed", individuals with a score between "-30 and +30" as "two-handed", and individuals with a score between "-100 and -40" as "left-handed".

  3. Pressure Pain Threshold Assessment

    Time frame: 4 months

    In our study, pressure pain threshold measurement of the dominant and non-dominant side masseter and tenar muscles before and after the activity will be evaluated with Baseline manual algometer (2.5 kg-11 lb).

  4. Muscle Activation Measurement

    Time frame: 4 months

    In our study, a four-channel Neurotrac Myoplus Pro 4 EMG Biofeedback device will be used for superficial electromyographic (EMG) measurements of the masseter muscle. The results of electromyographic activity will be presented as both mean data (microvolts) and normalized mean data (%MVC- Maximum Voluntary Contraction). The mean, minimum and peak contraction values of the activation will be recorded, the variability of the activation produced will be evaluated with the Inter Quantile Range (IQR). The average muscle activations that will occur in the muscle will be used as %MVC.

  5. Hand Grip Strength Assessment

    Time frame: 4 months

    Hand grip strength will be measured with 'Saehan Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer'. A total of three measurements will be made for each hand with a 15 s break between each measurement of the extremity and the average of the three measurements will be taken. Test results will be recorded in kilograms.

  6. Finger Lateral Grip Strength Assessment

    Time frame: 4 months

    Hand grip strength will be measured with 'Saehan Hydraulic pinch gauge'. Three measurements will be made for each hand in total with a 30-second break between each measurement and the average of the three measurements will be recorded in kilograms.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating the Short and Long-term Effects of Smartphone Use on the Masseter Muscle

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 10, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 6, 2025

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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