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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06968078

Smartphone Addiction in University Students

Smartphone usage has increased significantly in the last decade and smartphones have changed our lives to a great extent. Smartphone usage has advantages as well as disadvantages and therefore brings phone addiction with it. Smartphone addiction is defined as excessive use of smartphones to the extent that it disturbs the daily lives of users. It has been stated in the literature that phone addiction can cause some disorders in individuals. Changes in neck posture and balance may be among the symptoms affected in this context. However, the relationship between excessive smartphone usage and neck proprioception, angle and balance is not clear in the literature. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck angle, proprioception and balance.

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Key information

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction Behavior Behavior, Addictive Compulsive Behavior Impulsive Behavior Internet Addiction Disorder Technology Addiction

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Karabuk University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center

Karabük, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Smartphones are not only a source of communication, information and entertainment today, but are also used for taking photos, playing games and surfing the internet. For this reason, smartphone use is increasing. In addition to all these advantages, excessive use of smartphones also brings phone addiction. Smartphone addiction is defined as the excessive use of smartphones to the extent that they disturb the daily lives of users. Smartphone addiction causes various disorders in individuals for this reason. The most important of these disorders are neck pain, anxiety and visual fatigue. In addition, excessive phone use can cause problems in neck movements and change neck posture. Therefore, sensory functions can also be affected. However, when the literature is examined, the relationship between smartphone use and neck proprioception, angle and balance is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and neck angle, proprioception and balance and to compare these parameters according to smartphone addiction.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Between the ages of 18-45
  • Having a smartphone
  • Volunteer to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals reporting orthopaedic, neurological, psychiatric and otological diseases will not be included in the study.
  • Also, individuals with diagnosed vertigo will not be included in the study.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Smartphone addiction scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    It will be evaluated with The Smartphone Addiction Scale. The scale consists of 33 questions and is scored between 33-198. The higher the score, the higher the addiction.

  2. Neck posture

    Time frame: Baseline

    Neck posture will be evaluated using neck angle. The craniocervical angle of individuals will be evaluated using a photographic method.

  3. Neck proprioception

    Time frame: Baseline

    It will be evaluated with CROM. The deviation angle from 30 degrees will be recorded for flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and rotation. As the deviation angle increases, proprioception worsens.

  4. Body balance

    Time frame: Baseline

    Balance will be assessed with static posturography. With static posturography, participants will be subjected to open and closed eyes on hard and soft surfaces. In this way, the static balance skills of the participants will be determined.

  5. Dizziness imbalance

    Time frame: Baseline

    It will be evaluated with the Vertigo Dizziness Imbalanca-Symptom Scale. The scale consists of 14 items and is scored between 0-70. Lower scores indicate high symptom frequency.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Neck Angle and Balance in University Students

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 13, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 22, 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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