Examining the Effects of Fatigue According to Nomophobia Level

The aim of this study is to examine, using a comparative and experimental approach, the effects of nomophobia (fear of being without a smartphone) levels on acute neuromuscular and cognitive fatigue susceptibility induced by a standard physical exertion in young adults.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Smartphone Addictions
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Fatigue Induction Procedure

Detailed Description

This project aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by examining the effects of Nomophobia (No Mobile Phone Phobia), one of the rapidly increasing behavioral problems of the digital age, on cognitive performance and the neuromuscular system through objective physiological measurements.

Nomophobia is increasing, especially among young adults, with the widespread use of smartphones; it is closely associated with high anxiety, distractibility, and stress levels . Studies in the literature have reported significant correlations (r ≈ 0.45) between Nomophobia and stress. However, the vast majority of these studies are based on subjective scales and do not provide objective data that directly examine neuromuscular and physiological effects. Therefore, the somatic reflections of psychological stress related to Nomophobia on muscle mechanics and cognitive resilience have not been sufficiently explained.

Smartphone users, particularly those in their adolescence and twenties, are at higher risk for musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged and repetitive static positions. This leads to fatigue and pain in the neck (Sternocleidomastoid - SCM, Upper Trapezius), upper extremity (Flexor Carpi Radialis - FCR), and trunk (Lumbar Erector Spinae - LES, Rectus Abdominis) muscles

This project will objectively evaluate the effects of nomophobia-induced psychological stress on two key physiological domains to demonstrate its amplifying effect on this pre-existing physiological sensitivity:

Cognitive Performance: Examining the prolongation of Reaction Time (RT) in attention-demanding tasks after acute physical exertion in individuals with high levels of nomophobia. Cognitive performance will be assessed using the Nelson Hand Reaction Time Test (Simple Reaction Time - SRT), which measures the speed of a participant's hand motor response to a visual stimulus in milliseconds (ms).

Neuromuscular Response: Assessment of stiffness (ΔStiffness) and mechanical recovery rate (ΔDecrement) in postural (SCM, Upper Trapezius, LES) and functional (FCR, Rectus Abdominis) muscles as measured by MyotonPRO.

Physiological Cost: Determination of resistance sensitivity to fatigue through comparison of Core Endurance Time (seconds) achieved in maximal plank exercise .

In this respect, the project aims to demonstrate with scientific evidence that Nomophobia is not only a psychological condition but also a systemic stress factor that increases cognitive and neuromuscular sensitivity, by integrating the disciplines of behavioral psychology, physiology, and biomechanics. Research Question: Are young adults with high levels of Nomophobia more susceptible to cognitive and neuromuscular fatigue after acute physical exertion compared to those with low levels?

Key Hypotheses:

Individuals with high levels of Nomophobia will have a significantly higher percentage increase in Reaction Time (RT) after acute exertion.

Increased stiffness (ΔStiffness) and loss of elasticity (ΔDecrement) in postural and functional muscles will be more pronounced after the maximal plank test.

Individuals with high levels of Nomophobia will have a significantly shorter endurance time (seconds) in the Maximal Plank Position Endurance Test.

Expected Outcome: These findings will provide unique and objective evidence regarding the effects of technological addiction on neuromuscular health, demonstrating that individuals with high levels of nomophobia are more susceptible to both cognitive and physiological burnout.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 90

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34000
    • Istanbul Beykent Unıversity

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

SEDENTARY HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 18-25 years of age.
• Agreeing to participate in the study voluntarily and signing the Informed Consent Form.
• Being literate in Turkish.
• Being able to complete the Nomophobia and PAS scales.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having undergone musculoskeletal surgery within the last 6 months.
• Having any chronic neurological or orthopedic condition that would prevent participation in the experimental protocol (e.g., herniated disc, fibromyalgia, cervical disc herniation, etc.).
• Taking medications that may affect muscle tone or pain perception continuously (e.g., antidepressants, antispasmodics, muscle relaxants).
• Having a diagnosed serious psychiatric disorder (clinical depression, bipolar disorder, etc.).
• Having a cardiovascular or respiratory disease that would prevent maximum physical exertion during the protocol.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Examining the Effects of Fatigue According to Nomophobia Level; 1

Other: Fatigue Induction Procedure; • Maximal Plank Position Endurance Test: Physical fatigue will be induced using the standardized Plank Position Endurance Test (Axler & McGill, 1997), which tests maximal endurance in the abdominal and trunk stabilizer muscles. • Position: The participant stands on their forearms and toes, keeping their body in a straight line from head to toe. Elbows are placed just below the shoulder joint. Abdominal and hip muscles are actively contracted. • Procedure: The participant is asked to maintain the position in correct form for as long as possible, upon the researcher's "Start" command. The timer is started at the beginning of the position. • Termination Criteria: The test is terminated when any of the following conditions occur, and this time (in seconds) is recorded: The lower back begins to sag, disrupting the straightness of the back (excessive increase in lordosis).; The hips rise more than 90 degrees upwards. The part

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Assessment of Neuromuscular Mechanical Properties	Measurements will be performed face-to-face. • Device: MyotonPRO Device; Measurement Method: Myotonometry non-invasively measures the mechanical oscillation response of a muscle following a short and mild mechanical impulse applied to the muscle. •; Application Details: Measurements are repeated on the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), superior trapezius, flexor carpi radialis (FCR), and lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscles at PRE (Before Loading), POST-0 (Immediately After Loading), and POST-3 (3 Minutes After Loading) time points (Lettner et al., 2024).	PRE (Before Loading)
Assessment of Neuromuscular Mechanical Properties	Measurements will be performed face-to-face. • Device: MyotonPRO Device; Measurement Method: Myotonometry non-invasively measures the mechanical oscillation response of a muscle following a short and mild mechanical impulse applied to the muscle. •; Application Details: Measurements are repeated on the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), superior trapezius, flexor carpi radialis (FCR), and lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscles at PRE (Before Loading), POST-0 (Immediately After Loading), and POST-3 (3 Minutes After Loading) time points (Lettner et al., 2024).	POST-0 (Immediately After Loading)
Assessment of Neuromuscular Mechanical Properties	Measurements will be performed face-to-face. • Device: MyotonPRO Device; Measurement Method: Myotonometry non-invasively measures the mechanical oscillation response of a muscle following a short and mild mechanical impulse applied to the muscle. •; Application Details: Measurements are repeated on the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), superior trapezius, flexor carpi radialis (FCR), and lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscles at PRE (Before Loading), POST-0 (Immediately After Loading), and POST-3 (3 Minutes After Loading) time points (Lettner et al., 2024).	POST-3 (3 Minutes After Loading)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Scale: Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q)	The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) is a 20-item self-report scale designed to assess the severity of fear (nomophobia) experienced when individuals are without their mobile phones. Using a 7-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree), it measures four dimensions: not being able to communicate, losing connectedness, not being able to access information, and giving up convenience	PRE (Before Loading)
Determining Physical Activity Level	The International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) is a 7-item, self-reported survey measuring physical activity-vigorous, moderate, walking, and sitting-over the last 7 days. Designed for adults (15-69), it covers leisure, work, transport, and household activity. Scores are calculated in MET-minutes/week or categorized into low, moderate, or high activity levels.	PRE (Before Loading)
Scale: Borg Perceived Effort Scale (RPE)	Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale is a subjective tool used to assess an individual's perceived level of effort during physical activity. The scale reflects the interaction between physiological signals (such as heart rate, respiration, and muscle fatigue) and the individual's perception of exertion. . A modified version (0-10 scale) is also widely used in clinical and exercise settings.	PRE (Before Loading)
Scale: Borg Perceived Effort Scale (RPE)	Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale is a subjective tool used to assess an individual's perceived level of effort during physical activity. The scale reflects the interaction between physiological signals (such as heart rate, respiration, and muscle fatigue) and the individual's perception of exertion. . A modified version (0-10 scale) is also widely used in clinical and exercise settings.	POST-0 (Immediately After Loading)
Scale: Borg Perceived Effort Scale (RPE)	Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale is a subjective tool used to assess an individual's perceived level of effort during physical activity. The scale reflects the interaction between physiological signals (such as heart rate, respiration, and muscle fatigue) and the individual's perception of exertion. . A modified version (0-10 scale) is also widely used in clinical and exercise settings.	POST-3 (3 Minutes After Loading)
Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS)	The risk of smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). The scale was developed by Kwon et al. 2013 and adapted into Turkish by Demirci et al. 2014 (22,23). The scale consists of 33 items on a 6-point Likert scale. Scoring ranges from 1 (definitely no) to 6 (definitely yes). The total score obtainable from the scale ranges from 33-198, and higher scores indicate a higher risk of smartphone addiction.	PRE (Before Loading)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Inonu University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: yasemin şahbaz, phd, Istanbul Beykent University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): March 11, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 17, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 17, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: musculoskeletal system; Smartphone Addictions
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior; Internet Addiction Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: E-45778635-050.99-213499

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

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