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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06282900

Pain and Screen Addiction in University Students

One of the most important factors why young people spend inactive time is the time they spend in front of the screen. Sedentary screen time refers to time spent using a screen-based device, such as a computer, television, smartphone, or tablet while being sedentary in any environment. The last decade has seen a disturbing increase in the amount of time young people spend in front of screens. Research shows that musculoskeletal disorders in the hand, wrist, arm, and neck occur at a high rate due to long-term and repetitive use of the smartphone, one of the electronic devices. People with musculoskeletal pain often complain of more than one area of pain.

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between university students' use of various screen-based devices, the time they spend in front of the screen, and the number of painful areas they report on the body. Our secondary aim is to evaluate the relationship between pain, and screen time, and physical activity level.

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Key information

Conditions

Student Behavior Motor Activity Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Acibadem University

Istanbul, None Selected, 34752, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

University is also an important year in individuals' lives because it is a period in which they gain autonomy and have more control over their own lives and behaviors. It is known that adult individuals have a decrease in their physical activity due to their work lives and responsibilities. For this reason, the increase in sedentary life has also become evident in early adulthood.

Sedentary living is associated with many health risks independent of physical activity, and physical activity directly affects health status. Since a large portion of the world's population is physically inactive, physical inactivity is considered a public health problem rather than an individual problem.

One of the most important factors why young people spend inactive time is the time they spend in front of the screen. Sedentary screen time refers to time spent using a screen-based device, such as a computer, television, smartphone, or tablet while being sedentary in any environment. The last decade has seen a disturbing increase in the amount of time young people spend in front of screens.

Most studies on screen addiction have focused on smartphone use. Smartphone addiction is positively associated with repetitive overuse of joints, leading to inflammatory changes in healthy joints. It can also affect proprioceptors in muscles and ligaments due to the postural problems it creates. Research shows that musculoskeletal disorders in the hand, wrist, arm, and neck occur at a high rate due to long-term and repetitive use of the smartphone, one of the electronic devices.

People who experience localized pain often report pain in other areas as well. Having pain in one area increases the risk of developing pain in other areas. Reporting more than one area of pain worsens the prognosis and increases the possibility of the current problem becoming chronic.

People with musculoskeletal pain often suffer from more than one site of pain, and compliance with standard definitions of widespread pain often excludes the majority with more than one site of pain.

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between university students' use of various screen-based devices, the time they spend in front of the screen, and the number of painful areas they report on the body. Our secondary aim is to evaluate the relationship between pain and screen time, and physical activity level.

Who can participate

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

Inclusion criteria

  • All students between the ages of 18-25
  • People who use screen-based devices for at least 2 hours a day

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of congenital deformity
  • History of trauma to the musculoskeletal system in the last 6 months
  • History of serious surgery
  • Presence of neurological disease

Treatment and study plan

University students

Other

A cross-sectional study (Level IV evidence) will be conducted at the university (Acibadem University, Turkey). All students at the university will be invited to respond to a self-administered online survey. The survey will be prepared via Google Forms.

Primary outcomes

  1. Investigating the use of screen-based devices

    Time frame: during the procedure

    Participants will be asked to rate the purpose of using screen-based devices (television, computer, game console, or hand-held electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones) during the day, how they use them, and their addictions on a 5-point Likert scale (0: strongly agree, 5: strongly disagree).

  2. Musculoskeletal system evaluation

    Time frame: during the procedure

    The Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire will be used to record areas where participants experience pain due to static sitting posture issues such as prolonged sitting and screen use. The Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire consists of items related to nine body parts (neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, wrists/hands, waist, hips/thighs, knees, ankles/feet) and includes questions about any time in the last 12 months, in the last 1 month, and during the day. Includes questions about experience. It evaluates upper body musculoskeletal symptoms associated with pain or numbness. The Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire generally uses a total score out of 100. High scores may indicate that ergonomic risks need to be evaluated and appropriate precautions taken.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Physical activity assessment

    Time frame: during the procedure

    Participants' physical activity habits will be evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - short form). The survey asks about activities that are done regularly at least once a week and how long it takes to do these activities. Activities recorded in the survey will be calculated in hour/week units and the intensity of the activities will be determined according to the MET (Metabolic Equivalent) values of the activities. Questionnaires will be scored using established methods published on the IPAQ website (www.ipaq.ki.se).

    The score obtained can help classify individuals into different activity levels:

    • Low Level of Physical Activity: Total MET-minutes per week below 600.
    • Moderate Level of Physical Activity: Total MET-minutes per week between 600 and 3000.
    • High Level of Physical Activity: Total MET-minutes per week above 3000.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Acibadem University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pain and Screen Addiction: The Relationship Between the Number of Pain Areas and Screen Addiction and Various Screen Used in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 28, 2024
Registry last updated
Aug 14, 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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