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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07555834

The Impact of Digital Detox Training on Screen Use, Sleep Quality, and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Adolescents

This study evaluates the effects of a digital detox program on screen time, sleep quality, and healthy lifestyle behaviors among adolescents aged 10-19 years. Excessive use of smartphones and digital devices is associated with poor sleep quality, reduced well-being, and impaired daily functioning.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a digital detox intervention group or a control group. The intervention consists of ten weekly 60-minute sessions designed to reduce screen time, increase awareness of digital media use, and improve sleep hygiene. The control group will not receive any intervention.

Data will be collected at baseline and approximately 10 weeks after the intervention using standardized questionnaires and screen time measures. The study aims to evaluate whether a structured digital detox program improves behavioral and sleep-related outcomes in adolescents.

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Key information

Conditions

Digital Screen Addiction and Sleep Quality in Adolescents Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

10 year–19 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Şırnak University, Vocational School of Health Services

Şırnak, Merkez, 73000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Digital screen use has become a central part of daily life worldwide, particularly among adolescents. Excessive screen exposure has been associated with sleep disturbances, psychological distress, and reduced academic performance.

Previous studies have demonstrated associations between problematic smartphone use and poor sleep quality, with pre-sleep behaviors acting as a mediating factor. Digital detox interventions, defined as structured reductions in digital device use, have been reported to improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and support healthier behavioral patterns.

However, there is limited experimental evidence evaluating structured digital detox programs in adolescent populations within educational settings. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of a structured digital detox program on screen use behavior, sleep quality, and lifestyle outcomes among adolescents.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Aged 10-19 years Smartphone user At least 3 hours of daily screen time Willing to participate in the digital detox program Written informed consent and parental consent obtained No diagnosed chronic medical condition or sleep disorder Exclusion Criteria Outside the age range (10-19 years) Does not use a smartphone Daily screen time less than 3 hours Diagnosed chronic medical illness (e.g., diabetes, asthma, epilepsy) Diagnosed sleep disorder Current psychiatric treatment or medication use Previous participation in a similar digital detox or sleep intervention Unable to attend intervention sessions regularly Refusal to complete study assessments

Treatment and study plan

Digital Detox Intervention

Behavioral

Behavioral Intervention: Digital Detox Program A structured 10-week program delivered in weekly 60-minute sessions. The program includes psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral strategies, reduction of screen use behaviors, goal setting, self-monitoring, and sleep hygiene training. Participants track daily screen time and receive guided feedback.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in Multi-Screen Addiction Levels

    Time frame: Baseline and approximately 10 weeks post-intervention

    Participants' levels of problematic multiscreen use will be assessed using the total score of the Multiscreen Addiction Scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of problematic screen use. Changes will be evaluated by comparing baseline and post-intervention measurements following a 10-week digital detox program.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in the Level of Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle

    Time frame: Baseline and approximately 10 weeks post-intervention

    Healthy and sustainable lifestyle behaviors will be assessed using the total score of the Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle Scale (range: 24 to 120). Higher scores indicate healthier and more sustainable lifestyle behaviors. Changes will be evaluated by comparing baseline and post-intervention measurements.

  2. Changes in Sleep Quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI)

    Time frame: Baseline and approximately 10 weeks post-intervention

    Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score (range: 0 to 21). Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality. A score greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality. Changes will be evaluated by comparing baseline and post-intervention measurements.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Şırnak Üniversitesi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Digital Detox Training on Screen Use, Sleep Quality, and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: DIGIDETOX-RCT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 29, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 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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