How smartphone and game addiction relate to activity, sleep, stress, and pain in young adults
Association of Smartphone and Digital Game Addiction With Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, Stress, Fatigue, and Musculoskeletal Pain in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · NCT06994104
This project will see if smartphone and digital game addiction are linked to activity levels, sleep quality, stress, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain in undergraduate physiotherapy students aged 18–30.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 193 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Istanbul, Marmara and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06994104 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This cross-sectional observational study will recruit at least 193 undergraduate physiotherapy and rehabilitation students at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa and collect self-reported data via online questionnaires. Validated instruments will measure smartphone addiction, digital game addiction, physical activity, sleep quality, perceived stress, fatigue, musculoskeletal discomfort, and pain intensity. Statistical analysis in SPSS will use correlation, t-tests or nonparametric equivalents, ANOVA, and multiple regression to explore relationships and subgroup differences. The goal is to clarify how addictive technology use relates to lifestyle and health outcomes among youth and to inform future interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 18–30-year-old undergraduate students enrolled in a physiotherapy and rehabilitation program who can complete online self-report questionnaires and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: People with diagnosed neurological, psychiatric, or chronic pain disorders, serious musculoskeletal conditions, a history of major orthopedic surgery, sleep disorders, or prior treatment for smartphone or game addiction are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this study's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help identify behavioral targets for programs to reduce harmful device use and improve sleep, activity, stress, and pain among students.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cross-sectional studies have reported links between heavy smartphone or game use and poorer sleep, higher stress, reduced physical activity, and musculoskeletal complaints, but causality remains unproven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* Inclusion Criteria Aged between 18 and 30 years Currently enrolled as a student in a physiotherapy and rehabilitation undergraduate program Willing to voluntarily participate and able to provide signed informed consent Capable of providing self-reported data regarding smartphone or digital game use * Exclusion Criteria Diagnosis of any neurological, psychiatric, or chronic pain disorder Presence of a serious musculoskeletal condition or a history of major orthopedic surgery Having a medical condition (e.g., sleep disorder) that could affect the study outcomes Previous participation in a treatment program for smartphone or digital game addiction
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Marmara and 1 other locations
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation — Istanbul, Marmara, Turkey (Türkiye) (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
- Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Health Science — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Assoc. Prof. — Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Study coordinator: Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Assoc. Prof.
- Email: azengin@iuc.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 552 683 0479
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Smartphone Addiction, Game Addiction, Video, Musculoskeletal Pain Disorder, Sleep, Fatigue Symptom, Inactivity, Physical, Smartphone addiction, Digital game addiction