Low Back PainNCT07261566
Assessment of Core Muscles Endurance, Lumber Curvature and Function in Smartphone-addicts With Nonspecific Low Back Pain
An observational study of Low Back Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study will attempt to assess the relation between, core muscle endurance, lumber spine curvature and function among smartphone-addicts university students with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- non
- How many people
- 65 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 30 Nov 2025to 25 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: This study was conducted with a total of 65 participants. They were assigned into two groups, consisting of both genders with smartphone addiction according to the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and university students who had been experiencing chronic nonspecific low back pain for a period of at least six months
Who may be able to join
- University students who have been experiencing chronic nonspecific low back pain for a period of at least six months
- Both genders
- Smartphone addicted cut-off points for smartphone addiction at 31 for men and 33 for women in smartphone addiction scale short version
- Age is ranged from 18-25 years old
Who cannot join
- Patients will be excluded if they don't fulfil the inclusion criteria or if they have one of the following:
- Athletes
- Any history of spinal trauma or dysfunction
- Systemic disease presenting in the back (such as ankylosing spondylitis)
- Spinal deformity
- Leg length discrepancy
- History of spinal, abdominal or orthopedic surgery
- Patients who are under treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Assessment of Core Muscles Endurance, Lumber Curvature and Function in Smartphone-addicts With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
This study will attempt to assess the relation between, core muscle endurance, lumber spine curvature and function among smartphone-addicts university students with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Read the detailed description
It has been demonstrated that using a smartphone increases lumbar and cervical flexion. Moreover, using a smartphone while slouched increased the strain on the lumbar spine's muscles and capsular structures. Similarly, in other research, individuals with or without low back pain (LBP) experienced greater thoracic kyphosis and lumber lordosis following a brief period of smart phone use while seated.
In adults, mechanical LBP is frequently reported. Notably, there are several risk factors, including the excessive use of electronic and handheld electronic devices. Additionally, Back pain is linked to morphological changes in multifidus and erector spinae as a cross-sectional region.
In addition, core muscles are crucial for carrying out different motions or sustaining postures in day-to-day activities, particularly when sitting in a chair. They not only help to maintain endurance but also give the trunk muscles stability. Furthermore, weakness of the trunk muscles has been identified as a risk factor for LBP. Similarly, weak trunk muscular strength was linked to poor balance and functional performance. As a result, core muscle dysfunction leads to decreased trunk muscular strength, dynamic balance, and functional mobility.
Given these concerns, it is necessary to conduct further studies on the musculoskeletal problems linked to smartphone use. Therefore, all individuals experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort especially mechanical LBP should have their smartphone addiction level examined. Special attention should be given to addressing smartphone addiction and its musculoskeletal consequences on undergraduate students. Since young adults are a population that uses mobile phones often, they are an urgent group to investigate. However, no study has investigated the impact of smartphone use on the spinal and pelvic posture during standing and walking.
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- non
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Other
nonOther
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain. | This group included 33 smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Receives: Other: non | |
| Smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain. | This group included 32 smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain. Receives: Other: non |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of smartphone addiction
Smartphone addiction is examined using the Smartphone Addiction scale (SAS), which is a self-diagnosis instrument that identifies smartphone addicts. The final version included 33 items that revealed the presence of six subscales, including daily life disruption, positive anticipation, withdrawal, cyberspace-oriented connection, overuse, and tolerance.
The items are assessed on a six-point Likert scale as follows: strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), weakly disagree (3), weakly agree (4), agree (5), and strongly agree (6). The total of the six subscales equals the SAS score, which ranges from 33 to 198; higher scores indicate more addicted behavior with smartphone use.
Measured: 8 weeks
Assessment of lumbar spinal curvature
Kinovea software will be used to measure lumbar spinal curvature. The subject should be positioned in a sidelong stance without footwear, aligned with their back against a calibration plane, and their shoulders and elbows flexed at an angle of 90 degrees. Clearly delineate both earlobes on the subject Ascertain the critical reference points along the lumbar spine at 12 thoracic vertebra, third lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra. To ascertain the lordosis angle, identify the point on the lumbar spine that is nearest to the plumb line. Construct two lines that run parallel to the curvature of the lumbar region at both the superior and inferior aspects. Employ Kinovea to measure the angle formed at the intersection of these two lines. Deduct this measurement from 180° to derive the lordosis angle
Measured: 8 weeks
Assessment of trunk anterior flexor test
During the trunk anterior flexor test, individuals sit with their hands over their chest, trunk flexed to sixty degrees, and knee flexed to ninety degrees, time starts when participants adopt the measured posture and ends when the trunk deviates from the 60º angle. The investigator uses the commands 'start' and 'stop' to begin and end the test, while an assisting investigator uses a stopwatch to record the times
Measured: 8 weeks
Assessment of lateral musculature plank test
It will be applied for both sides. In the left lateral musculature plank test, participants' feet are placed one on top of the other, the right arm perpendicular to the floor, elbow lying on the mat, left arm across the chest, and left hand on the right shoulder. A similar position is used for the right lateral musculature plank test, with the left arm perpendicular to the floor. The investigator uses the commands 'start' and 'stop' to begin and end the test, while an assisting investigator uses a stopwatch to record the times. When the investigator observes an error in the line between the participants' trunk or lower body parts (thigh or shank), then time will be stopped.
Measured: 8 weeks
Trunk posterior extensor test
Participants lie prone on an examination table for the trunk posterior extensor test, with both anterior superior iliac spines (ASISs) on the table's edge and their hands on the seat of a chair positioned in front of them. Assistance held the lower extremities above and below the participants' knees to secure the lower body. Time begins when participants establish a horizontal posture of the trunk, detach their hands from the chair and then cross them over their chest, and time will be stopped when participants are unable to maintain that position.
Measured: 8 weeks
Assessment of back functional disability
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is regarded as the 'gold standard' of low back functional outcome instruments. The questionnaire measures the level of impairment in ten activities of daily living: Pain intensity, Personal care, Lifting, Walking, Sitting, Standing, Sleeping, Sex (if applicable), Social, Travel. Each item has six statements that are evaluated from 0 to 5. The overall score is determined as a percentage, with 0% representing no disability and 100% indicating the highest level of disability
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Dec 2025
- Study start30 Nov 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion5 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Feb 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 65 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ahd Ramadan, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Rabab M Monged, PHD, Study director, 6 October universitySalwa F Abdelmaged, Professor, Study chair, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07261566
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006095
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 22 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of Core Muscles Endurance, Lumber Curvature and Function in Smartphone-addicts With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07261566
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/006095
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 65 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Nov 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 5 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 25 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Dec 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.
This study will attempt to assess the relation between, core muscle endurance, lumber spine curvature and function among smartphone-addicts university students with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Detailed description
It has been demonstrated that using a smartphone increases lumbar and cervical flexion. Moreover, using a smartphone while slouched increased the strain on the lumbar spine's muscles and capsular structures. Similarly, in other research, individuals with or without low back pain (LBP) experienced greater thoracic kyphosis and lumber lordosis following a brief period of smart phone use while seated.
In adults, mechanical LBP is frequently reported. Notably, there are several risk factors, including the excessive use of electronic and handheld electronic devices. Additionally, Back pain is linked to morphological changes in multifidus and erector spinae as a cross-sectional region.
In addition, core muscles are crucial for carrying out different motions or sustaining postures in day-to-day activities, particularly when sitting in a chair. They not only help to maintain endurance but also give the trunk muscles stability. Furthermore, weakness of the trunk muscles has been identified as a risk factor for LBP. Similarly, weak trunk muscular strength was linked to poor balance and functional performance. As a result, core muscle dysfunction leads to decreased trunk muscular strength, dynamic balance, and functional mobility.
Given these concerns, it is necessary to conduct further studies on the musculoskeletal problems linked to smartphone use. Therefore, all individuals experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort especially mechanical LBP should have their smartphone addiction level examined. Special attention should be given to addressing smartphone addiction and its musculoskeletal consequences on undergraduate students. Since young adults are a population that uses mobile phones often, they are an urgent group to investigate. However, no study has investigated the impact of smartphone use on the spinal and pelvic posture during standing and walking.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain. | – | Other: nonThis group included 33 smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain. |
| Smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain. | – | Other: nonThis group included 32 smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- This study was conducted with a total of 65 participants. They were assigned into two groups, consisting of both genders with smartphone addiction according to the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and university students who had been experiencing chronic nonspecific low back pain for a period of at least six months
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- University students who have been experiencing chronic nonspecific low back pain for a period of at least six months
- Both genders
- Smartphone addicted cut-off points for smartphone addiction at 31 for men and 33 for women in smartphone addiction scale short version
- Age is ranged from 18-25 years old
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Patients will be excluded if they don't fulfil the inclusion criteria or if they have one of the following:
- Athletes
- Any history of spinal trauma or dysfunction
- Systemic disease presenting in the back (such as ankylosing spondylitis)
- Spinal deformity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain., Smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain. | |
| non | Other | Smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain., Smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain. |
Primary outcome
Assessment of smartphone addiction
Time frame: 8 weeks
Smartphone addiction is examined using the Smartphone Addiction scale (SAS), which is a self-diagnosis instrument that identifies smartphone addicts. The final version included 33 items that revealed the presence of six subscales, including daily life disruption, positive anticipation, withdrawal, cyberspace-oriented connection, overuse, and tolerance. The items are assessed on a six-point Likert scale as follows: strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), weakly disagree (3), weakly agree (4), agree (5), and strongly agree (6). The total of the six subscales equals the SAS score, which ranges from 33 to 198; higher scores indicate more addicted behavior with smartphone use.
Assessment of lumbar spinal curvature
Time frame: 8 weeks
Kinovea software will be used to measure lumbar spinal curvature. The subject should be positioned in a sidelong stance without footwear, aligned with their back against a calibration plane, and their shoulders and elbows flexed at an angle of 90 degrees. Clearly delineate both earlobes on the subject Ascertain the critical reference points along the lumbar spine at 12 thoracic vertebra, third lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra. To ascertain the lordosis angle, identify the point on the lumbar spine that is nearest to the plumb line. Construct two lines that run parallel to the curvature of the lumbar region at both the superior and inferior aspects. Employ Kinovea to measure the angle formed at the intersection of these two lines. Deduct this measurement from 180° to derive the lordosis angle
Assessment of trunk anterior flexor test
Time frame: 8 weeks
During the trunk anterior flexor test, individuals sit with their hands over their chest, trunk flexed to sixty degrees, and knee flexed to ninety degrees, time starts when participants adopt the measured posture and ends when the trunk deviates from the 60º angle. The investigator uses the commands 'start' and 'stop' to begin and end the test, while an assisting investigator uses a stopwatch to record the times
Assessment of lateral musculature plank test
Time frame: 8 weeks
It will be applied for both sides. In the left lateral musculature plank test, participants' feet are placed one on top of the other, the right arm perpendicular to the floor, elbow lying on the mat, left arm across the chest, and left hand on the right shoulder. A similar position is used for the right lateral musculature plank test, with the left arm perpendicular to the floor. The investigator uses the commands 'start' and 'stop' to begin and end the test, while an assisting investigator uses a stopwatch to record the times. When the investigator observes an error in the line between the participants' trunk or lower body parts (thigh or shank), then time will be stopped.
Trunk posterior extensor test
Time frame: 8 weeks
Participants lie prone on an examination table for the trunk posterior extensor test, with both anterior superior iliac spines (ASISs) on the table's edge and their hands on the seat of a chair positioned in front of them. Assistance held the lower extremities above and below the participants' knees to secure the lower body. Time begins when participants establish a horizontal posture of the trunk, detach their hands from the chair and then cross them over their chest, and time will be stopped when participants are unable to maintain that position.
Assessment of back functional disability
Time frame: 8 weeks
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is regarded as the 'gold standard' of low back functional outcome instruments. The questionnaire measures the level of impairment in ten activities of daily living: Pain intensity, Personal care, Lifting, Walking, Sitting, Standing, Sleeping, Sex (if applicable), Social, Travel. Each item has six statements that are evaluated from 0 to 5. The overall score is determined as a percentage, with 0% representing no disability and 100% indicating the highest level of disability
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Dec 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.
Rabab M Monged, PHD study director
6 October university
Salwa F Abdelmaged, Professor study chair
Cairo 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 Low Back Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 8 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Dec 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 Egypt. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ahd R Mohamed, Master (01115392633, 10722023487668@pg.cu.edu.eg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Assessment of smartphone addiction (time frame: 8 weeks). 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 3 Dec 2025.