Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Posture, Body Awareness, Physical Activity, and Balance in University Students

NCT07151196 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: istinyeuni
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 74
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the effects of smartphone addiction (SA) on posture, body awareness, balance, and physical activity among university students. With the rising popularity of smartphones in recent years, there has been increasing concern about their potential role in postural impairments and balance issues. The study population includes first- and second-year students from the Departments of Dental Services and Therapy-Rehabilitation at Fenerbahçe University School of Health Services. Smartphone addiction will be assessed using the short form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale; posture will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Chart; body awareness will be measured using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ); balance will be assessed with the Becure Balance System; and physical activity levels will be determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The study hypothesizes that SA significantly affects these physical and sensory parameters. Based on a power analysis using G\*Power, a total sample size of 55 participants was determined. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the impact of digital device use on the physical health of young adults.

Conditions

Balance Assessment; Postural Instability; Smartphone Addiction

Keywords

balance; smartphone addicition; postural ınstability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• EVALUATION OF SMART PHONE ADDICTION

  The participants were administered the Short Form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SF). This scale, developed by Kwon et al., was designed to assess the risk of smartphone addiction among adolescents and consists of 10 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale. The items were scored from 1 to 6, with total scores ranging from 10 to 60. Higher scores indicated a greater risk of addiction. The scale was unidimensional and had no subscales. In the Korean sample, the cutoff scores were 31 for males and 33 for females. In our study, the Turkish version of the scale, whose validity and reliability were established by Noyan et al., was used. Participants were classified as addicted or non-addicted based on the cutoff scores determined by Kwon et al. Additionally, the average daily screen time on participants' phones was recorded.

  Day 1

• POSTURE ASSESSMENT

  The static postures of the participants were evaluated using the New York Posture Analysis. The New York Posture Analysis assessed postural changes in a total of 13 body regions, including the head, neck, shoulders, back, waist, hips, and ankles, through lateral and posterior observations. Each region was scored as 5 if there was no postural deviation, 3 for moderate deviation, and 1 for severe deviation. The scores from the thirteen regions were summed to obtain a total score ranging from 13 to 65. A total score equal to or greater than 45 was classified as very good; 40-44 as good; 30-39 as moderate; 20-29 as poor; and equal to or less than 19 as bad.

  Day 1

• EVALUATION OF BODY AWARENESS

  Participants' body awareness was assessed using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), originally developed in 1989 by Shields, Mallory, and Simon, and later adapted into Turkish with established validity and reliability. The BAQ is designed to identify whether an individual has a normal or abnormal level of sensitivity to bodily processes. It consists of four subscales-attention to bodily changes and responses, sleep-wake cycle, prediction of illness onset, and prediction of bodily reactions-with a total of 18 items. Participants were asked to rate each item on a scale from 1 to 7 (1 = Not at all true for me, 7 = Completely true for me). The scale is evaluated using the total score, which can range from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 126. Higher total scores indicated greater body awareness.

  Day 1

• BALANCE ASSESSMENT

  Static balance was assessed using the Becure Balance System, developed by engineers and physiotherapists as part of a TÜBİTAK project. Based on the WiiFit balance board with custom software, the system evaluated center of pressure distribution and postural sway. The protocol included three conditions: 30 seconds standing with eyes open, 30 seconds standing while using a smartphone (typing the Turkish National Anthem), and 30 seconds standing with eyes closed. Key parameters were changes in center of pressure and postural sway under each condition.

  Day 1

• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT

  International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF): The IPAQ-SF scoring involved calculating the time spent walking, performing moderate-intensity, and vigorous-intensity physical activities based on the 7-item questionnaire. Time spent sitting was assessed separately as a single item. The total score was calculated by combining the duration (minutes) and frequency (days) of walking, moderate, and vigorous physical activities.

  Day 1

Study Arms (2)

Group 1 Smartphone Addiction

Duration of smartphone use, postural disorders, body awareness level, amount of physical activity and balance performance were evaluated in these individuals.

group 2 non-smartphone addicts

Duration of smartphone use, postural disorders, body awareness level, amount of physical activity and balance performance were evaluated in these individuals.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Individuals who were students of Fenerbahçe University SHMYO Department of Dental Services or Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation were selected.

You may qualify if:

• Being a student of Fenerbahçe University SHMYO Department of Dental Services or Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Having a smartphone
• Between the ages of 18 and 30

You may not qualify if:

• \- Having a neurological, orthopaedic or metabolic problem or disease that may affect balance, physical activity, posture or body awareness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead
• Istinye University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Fenerbahce University

Istanbul, ATASEHIR, 34000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• ELİF SENA DUSGUN, asst. prof.

  FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTY

  STUDY CHAIR

• BUSE SERT, PT,PhD (c)

  MEDİPOL UNİVERSİTY

  STUDY CHAIR

• YELİZ CİRAK, PT,PhD (c)

  FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTY

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• HÜSNA GÜZEL

  FENERBAHCE UNİVERSİTY

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: LECTURER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 7, 2025
• First Posted: September 3, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2024
• Study Completion: November 1, 2024
• Last Updated: September 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-05

Locations

TU (1)