Online health anxiety in teens with idiopathic scoliosis
Adölesan İdiyopatik Skolyozlu Hastalarda Siberkondri Düzeyi ve İlişkili Faktörler: Olgu-Kontrol Çalışması
This project will see if teens aged 12–20 with idiopathic scoliosis who search for health information online have higher health anxiety (cyberchondria) than peers seen for routine follow-up.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 20 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Izmir Democracy University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Izmir) |
| Trial ID | NCT07481071 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will enroll patients aged 12–20 diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle >10°) at Izmir Democracy University. Investigators will compare levels of cyberchondria between AIS patients and a control group of clinic attendees who present without complaints during a three-month recruitment period. Data collection is expected to include self-report questionnaires about online health searching and anxiety and review of clinical records including Cobb angle. Key exclusions include existing psychiatric disorders, use of psychotropic medications, somatic pain disorder, other orthopedic/neurological/rheumatologic spine conditions, and pregnancy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12–20 with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle >10°) who can complete questionnaires and consent to participation.
Not a fit: Patients with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, those taking psychotropic medications, individuals with other spine-affecting conditions, pregnant patients, or those who decline participation are unlikely to benefit from this observational comparison.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify teens with scoliosis who are prone to online-driven health anxiety and guide targeted education or support to reduce distress.
How similar studies have performed: Research in adults and adolescents links excessive online health searching to increased anxiety, but focused work specifically in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients is limited and relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 12-20 years with a diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis established through clinical and radiological evaluation (Cobb angle \>10°) (patient group) * Patients who presented to the outpatient clinic for follow-up without any complaints during a 3-month period following ethics committee approval (control group) * Patients who were informed about the study and agreed to participate, as well as the families of eligible patients Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of a psychiatric disorder or use of psychotropic medications * Presence of somatic pain disorder * History of orthopedic, neurological, or rheumatological conditions that may affect the spine * Pregnancy * Participants who were informed about the study but declined to participate, as well as the families of eligible patients
Where this trial is running
Izmir
- Izmir Democracy University — Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kadir Songür, Assoc. Prof.
- Email: kadir.93@gmail.com
- Phone: +905054529231
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.