Effect of Problematic Smartphone Use

Effect of Problematic Smartphone Use on Upper Extremity Functions and Cognitive Functions

There is no study that examines the effect of problematic use of smartphones, which has become a global problem today, on reaction time and cognitive functions together. This study was planned to examine the effect of problematic smartphone use on upper extremity functions and cognitive functions. Participants' problematic smartphone use will be evaluated with the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form. Within the scope of upper extremity functions, Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder & Hand Questionnaire, reaction time and grip strength will be evaluated. Reaction time will be measured with BlazePod Trainer (Blazepod Trainer Device, Play Coyotta Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel). Jamar dynamometer (Performance Health, Warrenville, IL) will be used to evaluate grip strength. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Stroop Test ÇAPA Form, Trail Making Test and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Smartphone Addiction

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 131

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Center
    • Kütahya, Center, Turkey (Türkiye), 43100
      • Kutahya Health Sciences University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adults aged 18-25 years

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• To be between 18-25 years old
• Using a smartphone for at least 1 hour a day
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having undergone a surgical operation involving the upper extremity within the last 6 months
• History of trauma to the shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist in the last 6 months
• Presence of a diagnosed neurological, rheumatic or psychiatric disease

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Study group; Participants with problematic smartphone use were identified with the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form. Participants with a score above 31 for women and 33 for men were defined as individuals with problematic smartphone use.
Control group; Participants with problematic smartphone use were identified with the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form. Participants with a score below 31 for women and 33 for men were defined as the control group.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form	It is a 10-item scale to assess problematic smartphone use. Each item in the scale is scored between 1 (strongly disagree) and 6 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 10-60, with higher scores indicating an increased risk of smartphone addiction. The cut-off score of the scale was reported as 33 for women and 31 for men.	Baseline
Upper Extremity Functions-Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder & Hand (Quick DASH)	In the 11-question scale, difficulties encountered during activities of daily living (carrying shopping bags, opening jars, using a knife to cut food, etc.) due to problems in the shoulder, elbow and hand regions are scored from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (no difficulty at all). A higher total score indicates an increased level of functional limitation in the upper limb.	Baseline
Upper Extremity Functions-Reaction Time	The upper extremity reaction time will be assessed using the BlazePod Trainer (Blazepod Trainer Device, Play Coyotta Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel). Participants will be asked to hit 5 LEDs on a table as quickly as possible using only one hand while in a seated position. The LEDs will be arranged in an arc on the table within the participant's reach without disturbing their seated posture. The right and left hands will be evaluated separately. The number of LEDs hit in 30 seconds, the unit hit time (ms), and the number of missed LEDs (those that automatically hit after a 5-second waiting period) will be recorded through the BlazePod app installed on the researchers' phones.	Baseline
Upper Extremity Functions-Grip Strength	A calibrated digital Jamar dynamometer (Performance Health, Warrenville, IL) will be used for grip strength. Participants will be instructed to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible while sitting in an upright position as recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists, with arms at their sides, elbows flexed 90° and forearms in a neutral position. For hand grip strength, 3 measurements will be made with one minute intervals between each measurement and the average value will be recorded.	Baseline
Cognitive Functions-Stroop Test ÇAPA Form	It is used to assess executive functions such as attention, information processing speed and response inhibition. The Stroop Test ÇAPA Form consists of a total of 60 items. In the first part, there are small rectangles (0.5 x 1 cm) with colors such as yellow, blue and red. In the second part, there are color names written in different colors. The test is administered in 3 stages. In the first part (Stroop A), the person is asked to name the colors in the boxes from left to right. If a color blindness is detected, the test can be terminated. In the second part (Stroop B), the person is asked to read quickly the color names written in different colors (yellow, red, green). In the third part (Stroop C), participants are asked to say the colors of the words (blue, green, yellow) without reading the color names. In all three parts, the time is timed and recorded with a stopwatch.	Baseline
Cognitive Functions-Trail Making Test	It is used to assess cognitive functions such as working memory, complex attention and cognitive flexibility. It requires visual scanning and hand-eye coordination. The Trail Making Test consists of 25 circles with numbers distributed on paper and has 2 sections (IST A-B). Section A contains numbers numbered between 1 and 25, and during the test, individuals are asked to connect the circles by drawing lines consecutively and in the correct order. In part B, the circles contain both numbers and letters. Participants are asked to quickly connect the circles in consecutive order in accordance with the order of numbers and letters (1-A, 2-B, 3-C, etc.) by drawing a line without lifting the pencil from the paper. The time to complete each trace is recorded in seconds (s), A and B.	Baseline
Cognitive Functions-Cognitive Failures Questionnaire	Errors in perception, memory and motor functions in daily life are assessed with 25 questions. Each question is scored from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). The total score ranges from 0-100, with a higher score indicating an increased level of cognitive error.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ismail Okur, PT, PhD, Kutahya Health Sciences University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 20, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): December 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 8, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 10, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): October 15, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 9, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: cognitive function; reaction time; smartphone addiction; problematic smartphone use; upper extremity problem
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior; Internet Addiction Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: KSBU 2024/04-27

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No