Digital Technology Use, Digit Ratio, and Handgrip Strength in University Students

NCT07694960 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BYEU-HSI-2022-164
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 173
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational cross-sectional study examined associations among second-to-fourth digit ratio, handgrip strength, problematic smartphone-use symptoms, problematic Internet-use symptoms, and self-reported smartphone usage time in university students from different regional backgrounds. The analytic sample included 173 students aged 17-26 years from Turkish, Middle Asian, African, and Asian regional backgrounds. Participants completed validated self-report scales for smartphone-use and Internet-use symptoms, and underwent anthropometric, hand morphology, and handgrip strength measurements. The study did not involve randomization, treatment assignment, intervention, or follow-up.

Conditions

Problematic Smartphone Use; Internet Addiction; Healthy Volunteers

Keywords

Healthy Volunteers; Internet Addiction; Problematic Internet Use

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Internet-addiction symptom score

  Internet-addiction symptoms assessed using the Young Internet Addiction Scale-Short Form. Higher scores indicate greater Internet-use symptom severity.

  At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

• Smartphone-addiction symptom score

  Smartphone-addiction symptoms assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Higher scores indicate greater smartphone-use symptom severity.

  At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Second-to-fourth digit ratio

  At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

• Handgrip strength

  At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

• Self-reported smartphone usage time

  At baseline / single cross-sectional assessment

Study Arms (4)

Turkish university students

University students from Turkish regional background included in the observational cross-sectional analysis.

Middle Asian university students

University students from Middle Asian regional backgrounds included in the observational cross-sectional analysis.

African university students

University students from African regional backgrounds included in the observational cross-sectional analysis.

Asian university students

University students from Asian regional backgrounds included in the observational cross-sectional analysis.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

University students aged 17-26 years from Turkish, Middle Asian, African, and Asian regional backgrounds studying at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University.

You may qualify if:

• University students aged 17-26 years.
• Classifiable sex and regional-background information.
• Ability to understand the study procedures.
• Written informed consent provided.
• For participants younger than the legal age of majority, additional parent or legal guardian consent obtained according to institutional requirements.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous finger operation.
• Finger prosthesis.
• Median, radial, or ulnar nerve deformity.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Developmental or mental disorder preventing participation or valid assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inonu University: lead
• Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University: collaborator
• Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

Balıkesir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Problematic Smartphone and Internet-Use Symptoms, Handgrip Strength, and Digit Ratio in University Students from Different Regional Backgrounds

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 5, 2026
• First Posted: July 10, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2023
• Study Completion: May 30, 2023
• Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)