Neck PainNCT04730960
Comparison of Cervical Region Characteristics of People With Smartphone Addiction
An observational study of Neck Pain and Postural; Defect, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
In healthy participantsng adults, the anterior tilt position of the head and consequently flattening of the cervical lordosis may results in impaired neutral posture of the spine during daily long-term computer etc. use with today's technology. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Postural; Defect, Young Adult
- How many people
- 86 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jul 2021to 5 Jan 2022
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Adult
Study population: Healthy patients between the ages of 18 and 30 without neck problems will be included in the study.
Who may be able to join
- Being in the age range of 18-30,
- Not having mental - cognitive problems,
- Being a volunteer participant.
Who cannot join
- Having any surgery on the vertebral column,
- Having an inflammatory disease,
- Having a rheumatological disease,
- Having a history of malignancy,
- Having congenital spinal cord anomalies, congenital and / or subsequent spinal deformities,
- Having radiculopathy, myelopathy and / or other neurological disorders, vestibular disorders,
- Having a history of acute trauma.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Cervical Region Characteristics of People With Smartphone Addiction According to Gender
In healthy participantsng adults, the anterior tilt position of the head and consequently flattening of the cervical lordosis may results in impaired neutral posture of the spine during daily long-term computer etc. use with today's technology. In addition, the increasing use of smart phones may also promote this negative results. According to a study, the estimated total smartphone sales for 2012 was 660 million, but as of 2015, it is estimated that a total of one billion units worldwide. It is also thought that phone sales will continue to increase over the years, as it facilitates daily life activities.
As a result of our literature review, the investigators have not come across a study that evaluates demographic information such as the duration of using smartphones or computers, cervical position sense, neck muscle strength, physical activity and general psychological status, which the investigators think may affect the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles in healthy participantsng adults. With this study, it will be ensured that more information about the factors affecting the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles will be determined in advance and necessary steps will be taken to prevent the factors that may cause neck problems in the future.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Postural; Defect, Young Adult, Technology
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Study Group | Healthy patients between the ages of 18 and 30 without neck problems will be included in the study. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Muscle Strength Assessment
The strength of the cervical flexor and extensor muscles will be measured with a digital hand dynamometer. While measuring with a dynamometer, the positions and methods of the fine muscle test defined by Lovett will be based on. Each muscle test with the dynamometer will be done three times. The subject will be given a break of at least one minute to rest between repetitions. The highest 3-repetitive results obtained as a result of these measurements will be recorded as the maximum power and in Newton (N) to be used in statistical analysis.
Measured: 10-15 minutes
Cervical Joint Range of Movement Assessment
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM 3) device will be used for active evaluation of cervical range of motion. CROM 3 is a valid and reliable device . The CROM 3 instrument is a special version of the universal goniometer adapted to the cervical region, developed to evaluate cervical joint motion in 3 planes. Flexion and extension range of motion is measured on the first gravity-dependent quadrant on the side of the CROM 3 device. The gravity-dependent second quadrant CROM 3 device is located on the anterior surface and measures the degree of lateral flexion. The third quadrant is a compass dial on the upper surface of the CROM 3 device and measures the right and left rotation. In order for the compass dial to measure the degree of rotation accurately, magnetic field reinforcement, which is a part of the device, was applied to the shoulders of the subject. Flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation movements will be measured with the CROM 3 device.
Measured: 10-15 minutes
Cervical Joint Position Sense Assessment
When evaluating joint position sense, 6 positions will be evaluated including flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, right and left rotation. CROM 3 device will be used while making measurements. When the subject starts the test, he will be told to sit upright in a comfortable position with the arms at the sides and look forward. The head of the subject will be brought to the targeted point, slowly and passively, up to 65 percent of the maximum range of motion he has, which was previously determined by the physiotherapist. The case will be passively held at the point reached for three seconds and will be told to feel position. Then the head of the subject will be brought back to the neutral position. Then he will be told to remember the phenomenon and passively come to the point brought. The degree of error between the point and the previously determined reference point will be recorded. This process will be repeated three times and the average value will be calculated.
Measured: 10-15 minutes
Smartphone Addiction Assessment
Individuals' smartphone use will be evaluated with the Smartphone Addiction Scale. Kwon et al. The "Smartphone Usage Scale" developed by "Smartphone Usage Scale" is a 6 point Likert type scoring scale consisting of 33 items. Each item is evaluated as "1: Absolutely no" and "6: Absolutely yes". The total score in the scale, which was validated in Turkish, varies between 33-198, and as the score increases, it means increase in smartphone addiction. Daily life disorders consist of 6 subtitles: positive expectation, feeling of deprivation, virtual oriented relationship, overuse and endurance.
Measured: 10-15 minutes
Posture Assessment
Individuals' head and shoulder posture will be evaluated by taking sagittal plan photographs; shoulder and head angles will be calculated. In previous studies, anterior tilt was defined as the angle between the line between the tragus and C7 and the line drawn in the vertical direction from C7 equal to or greater than 46 °. Shoulder protraction is defined as the angle between the line between the acromion and the line C7 and the line drawn vertically from C7 is equal to or greater than 52 °.Reflective markers will be placed on the dominant side ear (tragus), acromion and C7 spinous process; their places will be marked on the skin and in the photo. Individuals will be taught to position them with their feet shoulder-width apart, standing 40 cm in front of the wall, and moving their upper and lower extremities, in their own resting positions. In the sagittal plane, a high resolution digital camera will be placed on a tripod three meters away.
Measured: 10-15 minutes
Physical Activity Assessment
Physical activity levels of individuals will be evaluated with IPAQ - short form. IPAQ - short form consists of 4 separate parts and 7 questions in total. This form contains questions about physical activities performed for at least 10 minutes in the last 7 days. The questionnaire determines how many days in the last week and how long for each day heavy physical activities, moderate intensity physical activities, walking and the time spent during the day without moving (sitting, lying, etc.). It is done by MET method to determine the level of physical activity. The IPAQ - short form has been validated in Turkish.
Measured: 10-15 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jan 2021
- Study start15 Jul 2021
- Primary completion5 Dec 2021
- Study completion5 Jan 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 86 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, HATİCE ÇETİN, Hacettepe University
- Investigators
- Hatice Cetin, Principal investigator, Hacettepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04730960
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SP123
- Status last verified
- May 2021
- First submitted
- 26 Jan 2021
- Last updated
- 26 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Cervical Region Characteristics of People With Smartphone Addiction According to Gender
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04730960
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SP123
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Postural; Defect, Young Adult, Technology
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 86 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jul 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Jan 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Jan 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In healthy participantsng adults, the anterior tilt position of the head and consequently flattening of the cervical lordosis may results in impaired neutral posture of the spine during daily long-term computer etc. use with today's technology. In addition, the increasing use of smart phones may also promote this negative results. According to a study, the estimated total smartphone sales for 2012 was 660 million, but as of 2015, it is estimated that a total of one billion units worldwide. It is also thought that phone sales will continue to increase over the years, as it facilitates daily life activities.
As a result of our literature review, the investigators have not come across a study that evaluates demographic information such as the duration of using smartphones or computers, cervical position sense, neck muscle strength, physical activity and general psychological status, which the investigators think may affect the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles in healthy participantsng adults. With this study, it will be ensured that more information about the factors affecting the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles will be determined in advance and necessary steps will be taken to prevent the factors that may cause neck problems in the future.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Study Group | – | –Healthy patients between the ages of 18 and 30 without neck problems will be included in the study. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Healthy patients between the ages of 18 and 30 without neck problems will be included in the study.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Being in the age range of 18-30,
- Not having mental - cognitive problems,
- Being a volunteer participant.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Having any surgery on the vertebral column,
- Having an inflammatory disease,
- Having a rheumatological disease,
- Having a history of malignancy,
- Having congenital spinal cord anomalies, congenital and / or subsequent spinal deformities,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Muscle Strength Assessment
Time frame: 10-15 minutes
The strength of the cervical flexor and extensor muscles will be measured with a digital hand dynamometer. While measuring with a dynamometer, the positions and methods of the fine muscle test defined by Lovett will be based on. Each muscle test with the dynamometer will be done three times. The subject will be given a break of at least one minute to rest between repetitions. The highest 3-repetitive results obtained as a result of these measurements will be recorded as the maximum power and in Newton (N) to be used in statistical analysis.
Cervical Joint Range of Movement Assessment
Time frame: 10-15 minutes
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM 3) device will be used for active evaluation of cervical range of motion. CROM 3 is a valid and reliable device . The CROM 3 instrument is a special version of the universal goniometer adapted to the cervical region, developed to evaluate cervical joint motion in 3 planes. Flexion and extension range of motion is measured on the first gravity-dependent quadrant on the side of the CROM 3 device. The gravity-dependent second quadrant CROM 3 device is located on the anterior surface and measures the degree of lateral flexion. The third quadrant is a compass dial on the upper surface of the CROM 3 device and measures the right and left rotation. In order for the compass dial to measure the degree of rotation accurately, magnetic field reinforcement, which is a part of the device, was applied to the shoulders of the subject. Flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation movements will be measured with the CROM 3 device.
Cervical Joint Position Sense Assessment
Time frame: 10-15 minutes
When evaluating joint position sense, 6 positions will be evaluated including flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, right and left rotation. CROM 3 device will be used while making measurements. When the subject starts the test, he will be told to sit upright in a comfortable position with the arms at the sides and look forward. The head of the subject will be brought to the targeted point, slowly and passively, up to 65 percent of the maximum range of motion he has, which was previously determined by the physiotherapist. The case will be passively held at the point reached for three seconds and will be told to feel position. Then the head of the subject will be brought back to the neutral position. Then he will be told to remember the phenomenon and passively come to the point brought. The degree of error between the point and the previously determined reference point will be recorded. This process will be repeated three times and the average value will be calculated.
Smartphone Addiction Assessment
Time frame: 10-15 minutes
Individuals' smartphone use will be evaluated with the Smartphone Addiction Scale. Kwon et al. The "Smartphone Usage Scale" developed by "Smartphone Usage Scale" is a 6 point Likert type scoring scale consisting of 33 items. Each item is evaluated as "1: Absolutely no" and "6: Absolutely yes". The total score in the scale, which was validated in Turkish, varies between 33-198, and as the score increases, it means increase in smartphone addiction. Daily life disorders consist of 6 subtitles: positive expectation, feeling of deprivation, virtual oriented relationship, overuse and endurance.
Posture Assessment
Time frame: 10-15 minutes
Individuals' head and shoulder posture will be evaluated by taking sagittal plan photographs; shoulder and head angles will be calculated. In previous studies, anterior tilt was defined as the angle between the line between the tragus and C7 and the line drawn in the vertical direction from C7 equal to or greater than 46 °. Shoulder protraction is defined as the angle between the line between the acromion and the line C7 and the line drawn vertically from C7 is equal to or greater than 52 °.Reflective markers will be placed on the dominant side ear (tragus), acromion and C7 spinous process; their places will be marked on the skin and in the photo. Individuals will be taught to position them with their feet shoulder-width apart, standing 40 cm in front of the wall, and moving their upper and lower extremities, in their own resting positions. In the sagittal plane, a high resolution digital camera will be placed on a tripod three meters away.
Physical Activity Assessment
Time frame: 10-15 minutes
Physical activity levels of individuals will be evaluated with IPAQ - short form. IPAQ - short form consists of 4 separate parts and 7 questions in total. This form contains questions about physical activities performed for at least 10 minutes in the last 7 days. The questionnaire determines how many days in the last week and how long for each day heavy physical activities, moderate intensity physical activities, walking and the time spent during the day without moving (sitting, lying, etc.). It is done by MET method to determine the level of physical activity. The IPAQ - short form has been validated in Turkish.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Nov 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Hatice Cetin principal investigator
Hacettepe University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Neck Pain and Postural; Defect, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Muscle Strength Assessment (time frame: 10-15 minutes). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Nov 2025.