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CompletedNCT06497257Updated Aug 27, 2024

Effect of Smartphone Overuse on Hand Strength and Function in Physical Therapy Students

An observational study in Smartphone Addiction, sponsored by Cairo University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-08-27.

Sponsored by Cairo University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Case-control
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
60
Ages
18 Years to 25 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The present study aimed to measure wrist flexor and extensor muscle strength, hand grip strength, wrist pain and function in smartphone addicts and non-addicts

Read the detailed description

Smartphones have become ubiquitous worldwide, offering significant potential for medical applications by providing healthcare professionals and students with instant access to resources for informed decision-making. However, despite their benefits, overuse of smartphones can lead to physical health issues. Grip strength is recognized as an indicator of overall muscle strength, upper limb function, and various health conditions. Isokinetic testing, a reliable method for measuring muscle performance, has been widely used in studying low back pain but less commonly applied to wrist strength assessment.

Currently, there is a lack of evidence regarding the impact of smartphone overuse on wrist flexor and extensor peak torque, handgrip strength, and function. This research aims to investigate these aspects, providing insights into upper extremity function and potentially aiding ergonomists in addressing musculoskeletal disorders. The study's findings could contribute to the biomechanical evaluation and design of upper extremity tasks, enhance understanding of wrist functioning, and inform ergonomic design considerations. Additionally, the results may help smartphone users adopt better postures and grasping techniques to minimize injuries and maintain hand function, ultimately improving their quality of life.

02

Conditions studied

  • Smartphone Addiction
03

In context

Internet Addiction Disorder

170 studies on the registry are indexed under Internet Addiction Disorder; 49 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 60 is below the median of 124 across 74 observational studies indexed under Internet Addiction Disorder.

Browse Internet Addiction Disorder studies →

Lead sponsor

Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,780 studies on the registry; 1,427 are open to participants now.

Of its 36 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 25 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

They will be selected from the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age of subjects 18 to 25 years.
  • Body mass index from 18, but less than 25 kg/m2.
  • Experimental group, healthy subjects who are smartphone users for at least two years prior to study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects with a history of neurological disorder affecting the upper extremities, vestibular dysfunction, or balance disorder.
  • Deformities of elbow or hand.
  • Any recent upper limb fracture or trauma.
  • Disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy or tendinopathy.
  • Individuals going to the gym or athletes.
  • Individuals who smoke.
  • Subjects who had cognitive, linguistic or vision impairment which limited their use of instruments and questionnaire.
05

Study design

Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
60 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Group of high-frequency smartphone users

    Male and female subjects, who are high-frequency smartphone users at least for two years before the study.

    Other: Evaluating wrist flexor and extensor peak torque · Other: Evaluating functional disability · Other: Evaluating hand grip strength

  • Group of low-frequency smartphone users

    Male and female subjects, who are low-frequency smartphone users.

    Other: Evaluating wrist flexor and extensor peak torque · Other: Evaluating functional disability · Other: Evaluating hand grip strength

Interventions

  • OtherEvaluating wrist flexor and extensor peak torque

    Evaluation of wrist flexor and extensor peak torque

  • OtherEvaluating functional disability

    Evaluation of functional disability

  • OtherEvaluating hand grip strength

    Evaluation of hand grip strength

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Measurement of wrist flexor peak torque

    It will be measured by the Biodex system 3 pro isokinetic dynamometer.

    Time frame: 1 month

  2. Measurement of wrist extensor peak torque

    It will be measured by the Biodex system 3 pro isokinetic dynamometer.

    Time frame: 1 month

  3. Assessment of functional disability

    It will be assessed by the patient-related wrist and hand evaluation (PRWHE) questionnaire.

    Time frame: 1 month

  4. Measurement of hand grip strength

    It will be measured by a JAMAR Handheld Dynamometer.

    Time frame: 1 month

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Nouran Mohamed Saad
    Cairo, Egypt
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 27, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06497257
Lead sponsor
Cairo University
Responsible party
Nouran Mohamed Saad (Principal Investigator, Cairo University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 11, 2024
Start date
Jul 10, 2024
Primary completion
Aug 10, 2024
Completion
Aug 20, 2024
Last update
Aug 27, 2024

Study contacts

Hanaa Kenawy, PhD
study chair · Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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