The Effects of Smartphone Addiction on Pinch Strength, Muscle Stiffness, and Hand/Wrist Function in Young Adults

NCT06843863 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IUC002
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 134
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of daily life, and their increasing use has raised concerns about various health effects, including musculoskeletal symptoms. Repetitive movements of the thumb and hand muscles can lead to issues such as tendinosis, myofascial pain syndrome, and a decrease in pinch strength. Studies have shown that musculoskeletal symptoms related to smartphone use are common among young adults and university students. Additionally, an increase in device size may place greater strain on the wrist and finger muscles. Repetitive movements can cause stiffness changes in the thumb muscles, and the relationship between these changes and pinch strength is considered an important research topic. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of smartphone addiction on pinch strength, muscle stiffness, hand/wrist pain, and function in young adults.

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction

Keywords

Smartphone; Behavior; Addictive; Muscle stiffness; Musculoskeletal Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Stiffness

  Muscle stiffness (Abductor Pollicis Brevis, Abductor Pollicis Longus and Extensor Pollicis Brevis) was measured using the MyotonPRO (Myoton SA, Tallinn, Estonia) device. A brief mechanical impulse was applied to the muscle and then quickly released. Stiffness (N/m) is a parameter related to the capacity to withstand an external force. The reliability of the device has been proven in healthy individuals. The measurement site was marked on the skin with a pen. In all applications, the MyotonPRO probe was placed perpendicular to the skin, and in multi-scan mode, three measurements were recorded with 10 pulses at 1-second intervals. The average of the three measurements was used for analysis.

  Baseline

• Pinch Strength

  Lateral and palmar pinch strength were measured in kilograms using a Jamar hydraulic pinch gauge (ICC: 0.94-0.99). The measurements were performed in the standard position recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists: seated, with the shoulder in adduction and neutral, elbow in 90 degrees of flexion, forearm in mid-rotation and supported, and wrist in neutral. Three consecutive measurements, each lasting five seconds, were taken, with one-minute rest intervals between each measurement to prevent muscle fatigue. The average of the three trials was used for analysis.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV)

  Baseline

• Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation Questionnaire (PRWHE)

  Baseline

• Finkelstein Test

  Baseline

• Smartphone Surface Area

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Smartphone Addiction Group

Individuals classified as having smartphone addiction based on the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). Participants in this group scored 31 or higher for males and 33 or higher for females on the SAS-SV, indicating problematic smartphone use that meets the threshold for addiction.

Other: No intervention.

Non-Smartphone Addiction Group

Individuals who are not classified as having smartphone addiction based on the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). Participants in this group scored below 31 for males and below 33 for females on the SAS-SV, indicating that their smartphone use does not meet the threshold for addiction.

Other: No intervention.

Interventions

No intervention. OTHER

Participants allocated to the groups were assessed only once. No intervention was applied, and they were not followed up.

Non-Smartphone Addiction Group; Smartphone Addiction Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

University student from Istanbul Kent University and Istanbul Gelisim University.

You may qualify if:

• Willing to participate in the study
• Have been using a smartphone for more than one year
• Aged between 18 and 25 years
• Send 25 or more text messages or emails per day
• Spend more than 2 hours browsing the internet and/or play games for more than one hour a day

You may not qualify if:

• Having radiating/radicular pain in the upper extremity
• Having neck pain
• Congenital deformities in the upper extremity and neck
• A history of diagnosed neurological, rheumatic, musculoskeletal, or cardiovascular diseases
• Having previously undergone surgery on the neck and/or upper extremity
• Having been diagnosed with De Quervain's disease or tendinopathy in the hand/hand wrist muscles before

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Gelisim University: lead
• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: collaborator
• Istanbul Kent University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Kent University

Istanbul, Kağıthane, 34320, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder; Behavior; Musculoskeletal Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Ayşem Ecem Özdemir, MSc. PT.

CONTACT

+905375112777; ecemozdemir6@gmail.com

Ecem Yalçın, MSc. PT.

CONTACT

+905065725644; fzt.eyalcin@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2025
• First Posted: February 25, 2025
• Study Start: December 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 15, 2025
• Last Updated: April 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)