Exploring the Effects of Smartphone and Game Addiction on Activity, Sleep, Stress, and Pain in Youth

NCT06994104 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: iucbp25
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 193
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the relationship between smartphone and digital game addiction and various health indicators, including physical activity level, sleep quality, stress, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain among young people. University students often spend prolonged time on digital devices, which may affect their mental and physical well-being. By collecting self-reported data through validated questionnaires, the study will explore how these addictive behaviors are associated with lifestyle and health outcomes. The findings may help guide future interventions to promote healthier technology use among youth.

Conditions

Smartphone Addiction; Game Addiction, Video; Musculoskeletal Pain Disorder; Sleep; Fatigue Symptom; Inactivity, Physical

Keywords

Smartphone addiction; Digital game addiction; Physical activity; Sleep quality; Stress; Fatigue; Musculoskeletal pain; University students; Self-reported questionnaire; Screen time

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Smartphone Addiction Level Measured by SAS-SF

  The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS-SF) is a 10-item self-report instrument scored on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree, 6 = Strongly agree). The total score ranges from 10 to 60, with higher scores indicating higher levels of smartphone addiction. The Turkish version of the scale has shown high reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.88). All participants will complete the questionnaire online or in print.

  At enrollment

• Digital Game Addiction Level Measured by DGAS-U

  The Digital Game Addiction Scale for University Students (DGAS-U) consists of 21 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Never, 5 = Always). Total scores range from 21 to 105, with higher scores indicating greater digital game addiction. The scale has demonstrated strong psychometric properties in university populations. In this study, the questionnaire will be completed online or in paper form.

  At enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Physical Activity Level Assessed by IPAQ-Short Form

  At enrollment

• Sleep Quality Assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

  At enrollment

• Perceived Stress Measured by Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

  At enrollment

• Fatigue Level Measured by Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20)

  At enrollment

• Pain Intensity Measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

  At enrollment

Study Arms (1)

Physiotherapy Students

Participants are undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. All participants complete the same set of self-reported questionnaires assessing smartphone and digital game addiction, physical activity, sleep quality, stress, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be selected from undergraduate students enrolled in physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs at a health sciences faculty in an urban university setting. The population represents young adults aged 18 to 30 years with regular access to smartphones and/or digital games. Participants will be recruited through voluntary participation in response to announcements distributed via institutional communication channels.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead

Study Sites (2)

Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Istanbul, Marmara, 34000, Turkey (Türkiye)

NOT YET RECRUITING

Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Health Science

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder; Technology Addiction; Collagen Diseases; Fatigue; Sedentary Behavior; Motor Activity; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Musculoskeletal Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations

Study Officials

• Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Assoc. Prof.

  Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

+90 552 683 0479; azengin@iuc.edu.tr

Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 20, 2025
• First Posted: May 29, 2025
• Study Start: May 9, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 2, 2025
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (2)