FibromyalgiaNCT07092462
Fibromyalgia and the Act of Scrolling Through Social Media.
An observational study of Fibromyalgia and Social Media Addiction, run by Uşak University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
In recent years, the widespread use of social media and digital platforms has led to the emergence of behavioural patterns such as doomscrolling, which involves the compulsive consumption of negative or distressing online content. This can often lead to increased anxiety and psychological distress. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 49 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Fibromyalgia, Social Media Addiction
- How many people
- 173 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 1 Oct 2025
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Day
- 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 49 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: * The sample will consist of patients diagnosed with "Fibromyalgia" who are under the follow-up of Uşak Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. * A small control group of 50 participants will be included in the study. To minimise confounding factors, healthy subjects will be matched with controls demographically (age, gender and education).
Who may be able to join
- Being within the 18-49 age group (based on date of birth).
- Not practising any regular sport or exercise.
- Not having any chronic health problems or physical disabilities.
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- The presence of diagnosed neurological diseases that may adversely affect quality of life (similar to MS or migraine).
- The presence of diagnosed psychiatric diseases that may adversely affect quality of life (similar to depression or OCD).
- The presence of diagnosed rheumatological diseases that may adversely affect quality of life (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis).
- Not using a smartphone as part of one's lifestyle (i.e. not using applications).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Impact of Doomscrolling and Social Media Dependency on Individuals Suffering From Fibromyalgia. A Cross-Sectional Study
In recent years, the widespread use of social media and digital platforms has led to the emergence of behavioural patterns such as doomscrolling, which involves the compulsive consumption of negative or distressing online content. This can often lead to increased anxiety and psychological distress. While this phenomenon has been studied extensively in the general population, its impact on individuals with chronic pain conditions, particularly fibromyalgia, remains largely unexplored. FM is a complex disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, often accompanied by heightened emotional distress. As FM patients often experience anxiety and depression and engage in maladaptive coping strategies, doomscrolling may exacerbate their symptoms and impair their overall well-being.
Existing research suggests that excessive social media use is linked to social media addiction (SMA), fear of missing out (FoMO) and poor sleep quality - all of which are particularly relevant to FM patients, who already struggle with sleep dysfunction and psychosocial challenges. Nevertheless, no investigation heretofore has specifically scrutinised the association between doomscrolling, SMA, FoMO and fibromyalgia-related disability. Understanding these associations could provide valuable insights into how digital behaviours influence FM symptomatology and help to identify potential intervention targets to mitigate negative outcomes.
Read the detailed description
In recent years, the widespread use of social media and digital platforms has led to the emergence of behavioural patterns such as doomscrolling, which involves the compulsive consumption of negative or distressing online content. This can often lead to increased anxiety and psychological distress. While this phenomenon has been studied extensively in the general population, its impact on individuals with chronic pain conditions, particularly fibromyalgia, remains largely unexplored. FM is a complex disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, often accompanied by heightened emotional distress. As FM patients often experience anxiety and depression and engage in maladaptive coping strategies, doomscrolling may exacerbate their symptoms and impair their overall well-being.
Existing research suggests that excessive social media use is linked to social media addiction (SMA), fear of missing out (FoMO) and poor sleep quality - all of which are particularly relevant to FM patients, who already struggle with sleep dysfunction and psychosocial challenges. Nevertheless, no investigation heretofore has specifically scrutinised the association between doomscrolling, SMA, FoMO and fibromyalgia-related disability. Understanding these associations could provide valuable insights into how digital behaviours influence FM symptomatology and help to identify potential intervention targets to mitigate negative outcomes.
This cross-sectional study aims to: - assess the prevalence and severity of doomscrolling in fibromyalgia patients;- examine the relationships between doomscrolling, social media addiction (Bergen Scale), fear of missing out (FoMO Scale), fibromyalgia impact (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) and sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index);- explore whether doomscrolling and related digital behaviours are associated with worse fibromyalgia symptom severity and quality of life.
By investigating these associations, the study will contribute to the growing body of literature on digital well-being in populations with chronic pain and inform future interventions aimed at promoting healthier media consumption habits among patients with fibromyalgia.
- Conditions
- Fibromyalgia, Social Media Addiction
- Keywords
- fibromaylgia, doomscrolling, sleep disturbances, quality of life
- Medical subject headings
- Fibromyalgia, Internet Addiction Disorder, Parasomnias
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fibromyalgia patients | individuals suffering from fibromyalgia | |
| Healthy subjects | healthy subjects will be matched with controls demographically (age, gender and education). |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Doomscrolling Scale
Sharma et al. developed the Doomscrolling Scale to measure the extent to which participants scroll through persistently negative information on social media.
Satıcı et al. conducted a study to create a Turkish version of the scale. The scale consists of 15 items. It is a 7-point Likert scale, where 1 equals strongly disagree and 7 equals strongly agree. High scores imply high levels of doomscrolling.
In this study, the scale will be used with adults.
Measured: Baseline
Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale
The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) will be used by the researchers to assess social media addiction. The BSMAS comprises six items. Each item is rated on a scale from one (very rarely) to five (very often). The items will be used to calculate the scores, with higher numbers indicating a higher degree of social media addiction. Demirci (2019) conducted the Turkish adaptation of the BSMAS used in this study. Demirci deemed the uni-dimensional structure of the Turkish BSMAS to be acceptable.
Measured: Baseline
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) is a tool designed to assess and evaluate the status, progress and outcomes of individuals living with fibromyalgia (FM).
It takes approximately five minutes to complete the FIQ, which is a self-administered instrument. The instructions are straightforward and the scoring is self-explanatory.
The FIQ comprises 10 items. A 4-point Likert scale is used to rate the 11 questions in the first item, which are all related to physical functioning.
Scores range from 0, indicating no impairment, to 10, indicating maximum impairment.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (2)
Fear of Missing Out Scale (FOMOS)
The Fear of Missing Out Scale (FOMOS) will be used to assess fear of missing out. The FOMOS includes ten items. Each item is rated on a scale from one (not at all true) to five (absolutely true). The items will be summed, and higher scores will indicate a greater level of fear of missing out.
The Turkish adaptation of the FOMOS used in this study was carried out by Can and Satici. The Turkish FOMOS's unidimensional structure was found to have acceptable fit indices, according to Can and Satici.
Measured: Baseline
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a well-known tool used to assess sleep quality. It has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure, with adequate psychometric properties when used with adults. The PSQI is a 19-item, self-rated questionnaire designed to measure sleep quality and disturbance over the past month in people who are being treated for health problems.
Scores for each component range from 0 (no difficulty) to 3 (severe difficulty), and the sum of these scores produces a global score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher values indicating poorer sleep quality. A PSQI score greater than 5 is considered an indication of poor sleep quality, given its high sensitivity and specificity in identifying patients with sleep complaints.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jul 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion15 Sep 2025
- Study completion1 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for FibromyalgiaStudies 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-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 173 participants (actual)
- Target duration
- 1 Day
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Uşak University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Balikesir University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Faika SANAL KARAHAN, Uşak University
- Investigators
- Ender Salbas, asst. proff., Principal investigator, Balikesir University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07092462
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UsakPDR
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Research data supporting this publication are available upon request from the authors. The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author
Publications
Can G, Satici SA. Adaptation of fear of missing out scale (FoMOs): Turkish version validity and reliability study. Psicol Reflex Crit. 2019 Jan 22;32(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s41155-019-0117-4.
PubMed 32026206
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Impact of Doomscrolling and Social Media Dependency on Individuals Suffering From Fibromyalgia. A Cross-Sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07092462
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UsakPDR
- Conditions
- Fibromyalgia, Social Media Addiction
- Keywords
- fibromaylgia, doomscrolling, sleep disturbances, quality of life
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 173 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Uşak UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Balikesir University
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Jul 2025 (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 recent years, the widespread use of social media and digital platforms has led to the emergence of behavioural patterns such as doomscrolling, which involves the compulsive consumption of negative or distressing online content. This can often lead to increased anxiety and psychological distress. While this phenomenon has been studied extensively in the general population, its impact on individuals with chronic pain conditions, particularly fibromyalgia, remains largely unexplored. FM is a complex disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, often accompanied by heightened emotional distress. As FM patients often experience anxiety and depression and engage in maladaptive coping strategies, doomscrolling may exacerbate their symptoms and impair their overall well-being.
Existing research suggests that excessive social media use is linked to social media addiction (SMA), fear of missing out (FoMO) and poor sleep quality - all of which are particularly relevant to FM patients, who already struggle with sleep dysfunction and psychosocial challenges. Nevertheless, no investigation heretofore has specifically scrutinised the association between doomscrolling, SMA, FoMO and fibromyalgia-related disability. Understanding these associations could provide valuable insights into how digital behaviours influence FM symptomatology and help to identify potential intervention targets to mitigate negative outcomes.
Detailed description
In recent years, the widespread use of social media and digital platforms has led to the emergence of behavioural patterns such as doomscrolling, which involves the compulsive consumption of negative or distressing online content. This can often lead to increased anxiety and psychological distress. While this phenomenon has been studied extensively in the general population, its impact on individuals with chronic pain conditions, particularly fibromyalgia, remains largely unexplored. FM is a complex disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, often accompanied by heightened emotional distress. As FM patients often experience anxiety and depression and engage in maladaptive coping strategies, doomscrolling may exacerbate their symptoms and impair their overall well-being.
Existing research suggests that excessive social media use is linked to social media addiction (SMA), fear of missing out (FoMO) and poor sleep quality - all of which are particularly relevant to FM patients, who already struggle with sleep dysfunction and psychosocial challenges. Nevertheless, no investigation heretofore has specifically scrutinised the association between doomscrolling, SMA, FoMO and fibromyalgia-related disability. Understanding these associations could provide valuable insights into how digital behaviours influence FM symptomatology and help to identify potential intervention targets to mitigate negative outcomes.
This cross-sectional study aims to: - assess the prevalence and severity of doomscrolling in fibromyalgia patients;- examine the relationships between doomscrolling, social media addiction (Bergen Scale), fear of missing out (FoMO Scale), fibromyalgia impact (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) and sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index);- explore whether doomscrolling and related digital behaviours are associated with worse fibromyalgia symptom severity and quality of life.
By investigating these associations, the study will contribute to the growing body of literature on digital well-being in populations with chronic pain and inform future interventions aimed at promoting healthier media consumption habits among patients with fibromyalgia.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Target follow-up
- 1 Day
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Fibromyalgia patients | – | –individuals suffering from fibromyalgia |
| Healthy subjects | – | –healthy subjects will be matched with controls demographically (age, gender and education). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 49 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- * The sample will consist of patients diagnosed with "Fibromyalgia" who are under the follow-up of Uşak Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. * A small control group of 50 participants will be included in the study. To minimise confounding factors, healthy subjects will be matched with controls demographically (age, gender and education).
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Being within the 18-49 age group (based on date of birth).
- Not practising any regular sport or exercise.
- Not having any chronic health problems or physical disabilities.
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- The presence of diagnosed neurological diseases that may adversely affect quality of life (similar to MS or migraine).
- The presence of diagnosed psychiatric diseases that may adversely affect quality of life (similar to depression or OCD).
- The presence of diagnosed rheumatological diseases that may adversely affect quality of life (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis).
- Not using a smartphone as part of one's lifestyle (i.e. not using applications).
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
Doomscrolling Scale
Time frame: Baseline
Sharma et al. developed the Doomscrolling Scale to measure the extent to which participants scroll through persistently negative information on social media. Satıcı et al. conducted a study to create a Turkish version of the scale. The scale consists of 15 items. It is a 7-point Likert scale, where 1 equals strongly disagree and 7 equals strongly agree. High scores imply high levels of doomscrolling. In this study, the scale will be used with adults.
Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale
Time frame: Baseline
The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) will be used by the researchers to assess social media addiction. The BSMAS comprises six items. Each item is rated on a scale from one (very rarely) to five (very often). The items will be used to calculate the scores, with higher numbers indicating a higher degree of social media addiction. Demirci (2019) conducted the Turkish adaptation of the BSMAS used in this study. Demirci deemed the uni-dimensional structure of the Turkish BSMAS to be acceptable.
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
Time frame: Baseline
The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) is a tool designed to assess and evaluate the status, progress and outcomes of individuals living with fibromyalgia (FM). It takes approximately five minutes to complete the FIQ, which is a self-administered instrument. The instructions are straightforward and the scoring is self-explanatory. The FIQ comprises 10 items. A 4-point Likert scale is used to rate the 11 questions in the first item, which are all related to physical functioning. Scores range from 0, indicating no impairment, to 10, indicating maximum impairment.
2 secondary outcomes
Fear of Missing Out Scale (FOMOS)
Time frame: Baseline
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: Baseline
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 25 Nov 2025.
- Results publication: PubMed 32026206Can G, Satici SA. Adaptation of fear of missing out scale (FoMOs): Turkish version validity and reliability study. Psicol Reflex Crit. 2019 Jan 22;32(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s41155-019-0117-4.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Research data supporting this publication are available upon request from the authors. The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author
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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.
Ender Salbas, asst. proff. principal investigator
Balikesir 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 Fibromyalgia and Social Media Addiction, run by Uşak 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 4 inclusion and 4 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 25 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?
Doomscrolling Scale (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07092462, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 25 Nov 2025.