The Effect of Technology Addiction on Physical Activity and Attention Levels in Adolescents

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between technology addiction and physical activity and attention levels in adolescents. As the use of smartphones, the internet, and other digital technologies has increased among young people, concerns have also increased regarding the possible effects of excessive technology use on health and daily functioning. This study sought to determine whether higher levels of technology addiction are associated with lower physical activity and reduced attention in adolescents by evaluating these variables and examining the relationship between them.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Adolescent Health; Technology Addiction; Attendance Level

Detailed Description

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between technology addiction, physical activity level, and attention in adolescents. With the increasing use of smartphones, internet-based platforms, and digital devices in everyday life, concerns have emerged regarding the possible impact of excessive technology use on adolescent health, behavior, and cognitive function. This study aimed to examine these associations in a structured manner using standardized assessment tools.

After completion of the informed consent process, eligible adolescent participants were enrolled and underwent study assessments. Basic demographic information, existing medical conditions, and daily duration of technology use were recorded. Technology addiction was evaluated using the Technology Addiction Scale, the Young Internet Addiction Scale, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale. These measures were used to assess different aspects of problematic technology use. Physical activity level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, while attention level was evaluated using the Bourdon Attention Test.

The study was planned to assess whether higher levels of technology addiction were associated with lower physical activity levels and altered attention performance. Comparisons were made according to technology addiction classifications, and statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships among technology addiction, physical activity, and attention variables. Through this design, the study sought to provide further evidence on the potential effects of problematic technology use on physical and cognitive functioning during adolescence.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 50

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Marmara University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of adolescent volunteers aged 13 to 18 years who were recruited from the community to participate in a study conducted at Marmara University. This was a community-based adolescent sample rather than a clinical patient population

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents aged 10-19 years
• Healthy cognitive functions
• Literate
• Voluntary participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Insufficient language and cognitive skills to complete questionnaires and understand instructions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Adolescent Participants; Adolescents aged 10-19 years who voluntarily participated in a cross-sectional observational study evaluating technology addiction, physical activity, and attention level.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Physical Activity Level	Physical activity level will be assessed at baseline using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The questionnaire consists of 7 items and evaluates vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, walking, and sitting time over the last 7 days. Results are reported as total physical activity in MET-minutes/week and classified as inactive, minimally active, or very active. Higher scores indicate greater physical activity. The score does not have a fixed maximum value.	Baseline
Attention Level	Attention level will be assessed at baseline using the Bourdon Attention Test. In this study, the letter form of the test will be used. Each correct marking is scored as 1 point. Scores range from 0 to 110, with higher scores indicating better attention.	Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Technology addiction level	Technology addiction level will be assessed at baseline using the Technology Addiction Scale. The scale consists of 24 items and 4 subdimensions. Scores range from 24 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater technology addiction. According to the scoring, participants may be classified as not addicted, low-level addicted, moderately addicted, highly addicted, or fully addicted.	Baseline
Internet addiction level	Internet addiction level will be assessed at baseline using the Young Internet Addiction Scale. The scale consists of 12 items, and the maximum possible score is 60. Based on the five-point Likert structure described in the manuscript, scores can be reported from 12 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater internet addiction.	Baseline
Smartphone addiction level	Smartphone addiction level will be assessed at baseline using the Smartphone Addiction Scale. The scale consists of 10 items in a six-point Likert format. Total scores range from 10 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater smartphone addiction. Scores of 33 or higher for males and 31 or higher for females are accepted as smartphone addiction.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Marmara University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Aysel Yıldız Özer, PT, PhD, Marmara University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 9, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Adolescent; Physical Activity; Technology Addiction; Attendance Level
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior; Technology Addiction; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: 888

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data (IPD) collected in this study will not be made publicly available. There is no plan to share individual-level data or a data dictionary with other researchers.

Drug and device information, study documents

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