ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT07047781Updated Aug 21, 2025

Smartphone Addiction and Thoracic Hyperkyphosis in Children

An observational study in Hyperkyphosis, sponsored by Istinye University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 7 Years to 14 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-08-21.

Sponsored by Istinye University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
77
Ages
7 Years to 14 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-12

Among 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey — 9 open to participants now, 10 under way, none of them phase 3. Kyphosis · Turkey.

Enrollment
4th of 14
77 · median 57
Started
2025
with 12 others
Observational
14 of 35
2 open now
Registered
24th of 35
by date
Lead sponsor
6 of 35
Istinye University

Among the 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey, this one is the 4th largest by enrollment of the 14 observational ones that give a count, is one of 13 that started in 2025, is one of 14 observational ones, and was the 24th registered.

Kyphosis

132 studies on the registry are indexed under Kyphosis; 31 are open to participants now.

Browse Kyphosis studies →

Open to participants now

9 of the 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey are open now. Recruiting first, the newest first:

4 more — sign in →

All 9 open studies →

A study can be open while its sites in Turkey have not opened yet or have stopped. Only those recruiting at a site in Turkey →

Who these studies take

Of the 20 Kyphosis studies recruiting now, 7 (35%) set no upper age limit and 12 (60%) stop at 75 or younger; 7 take children under 18; 1 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 7 Years to 14 Years · all sexes.

The full table on the hub →

This tab as a report to print or save as PDF → With an account.

Was this useful?
Watch this landscapeDownload CSVNarrow it in search →With an account: a weekly mail of what changed among 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey, or all of them as a file.
02

Study summary

Smartphones are advanced devices that have evolved beyond basic calling and messaging functions, offering features comparable to computers due to the development of mobile operating systems. In addition to their technical capabilities, smartphones have become increasingly appealing to children, adolescents, and adults through continuously updated websites, applications, and social networks that provide access to current information and opportunities for social interaction.

Excessive use of smartphones and similar technological devices can be defined as mobile phone addiction or internet addiction. The risk of smartphone addiction is particularly high among children and adolescents. The prolonged use of smartphones, which are now an integral part of daily life, may negatively affect physical capacity, including the musculoskeletal system. Previous studies have shown that increased smartphone use is associated with neck/shoulder and upper extremity/back discomfort. This increased usage can lead to non-neutral spinal postures and sustained muscular loading. Due to the central role of the spine within the kinetic chain, postural changes and muscular strain in the spine may affect movement quality in both upper and lower segments. For example, excessive neck flexion while texting can have widespread effects on spinal alignment and function. Therefore, smartphone use may cause significant changes in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis.

Thoracic hyperkyphosis is commonly detected during adolescence and encompasses a range of spinal deformities from mild postural changes to rigid deformities accompanied by soft tissue and structural alterations. In children and adolescents, three main types of hyperkyphosis are observed: postural kyphosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, and congenital kyphosis.

Postural hyperkyphosis is the most common type. It results from the weakness of antigravity muscles responsible for upright posture, leading to curvature of the spine under external forces. This type of curvature is not rigid and can often be corrected voluntarily when the individual is instructed to stand upright. Postural hyperkyphosis typically occurs during adolescence and is characterized by a thoracic kyphosis angle generally below 65 degrees. It is a common yet often overlooked condition in healthy adolescents and can be identified through school screenings.

Today, the growing use of smartphones and the associated rise in technology addiction have contributed to the increasing prevalence of postural hyperkyphosis, which is caused by prolonged incorrect postures. It has also been reported that postural habits developed during childhood often persist into adulthood.

If left untreated, hyperkyphosis that begins in adolescence may continue into adulthood, potentially increasing healthcare expenditures. With the rising incidence of hyperkyphosis linked to smartphone addiction, it is crucial to address this deformity beginning in adolescence, both from a health and economic perspective. Many authorities advocate for the inclusion of scoliosis and hyperkyphosis in school screening programs. However, routine screenings for skeletal system problems are not conducted in schools. Moreover, the limited number of studies in this area have primarily focused on scoliosis, and to date, no screening studies have addressed hyperkyphosis specifically.

03

Conditions studied

  • Hyperkyphosis

Keywords

  • smartphone addiction
  • thoracic hyperkyphosis
  • posture
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
7 Years to 14 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being between 7-14 years old
  • Using a smartphone for more than a year
  • Daily smartphone usage time >60 minutes

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Those who have had major surgery or trauma related to the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine and upper extremities
  • Difficulty in perceiving commands
  • Rigid deformity in the spine (Scheuermann Kyphosis)
  • Congenital deformity
05

Study design

Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
77 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Group 1

    Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

    Other: Assessment

Interventions

  • OtherAssessment

    Individuals between the ages of 7 and 14 who are receiving primary education and meet the inclusion criteria will be included in this study planned to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and thoracic hyperkyphosis in children with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Sociodemographic Status Assessment

    The sociodemographic status of the participants will be recorded with an assessment form prepared by the researchers. Information on age, gender, dominant side, duration and habits of smartphone use,will be questioned. Participants' privacy will be respected throughout the study, and no photographs will be taken.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  2. Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form

    Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form will be used to measure smartphone addiction. The smartphone addiction scale, developed to measure the risk of smartphone addiction in young people, is a six-point Likert-type scale consisting of 10 items with one factor (1: strongly disagree and 6: strongly 15 agree) and is based on self-reporting. The internal consistency and concurrent validity of the scale were confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.911. The total score is minimum 10 and maximum 60. It was evaluated that the risk of addiction increases as the score increases. In the Korean sample, the cut-off value was specified as 31 for men and 33 for women. Turkish validity and reliability studies were conducted by Noyan et al. in 2014.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  3. Flexicurve Ruler

    Flexicurve Ruler will measure thoracic curvature and calculate kyphosis index. Kyphosis index is the value found by dividing the width of the thoracic curvature by its length.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  4. Wall-Occiput Distance

    The increase in the thoracic kyphosis angle will be evaluated and recorded with the wall-occiput distance measurement. The distance between the occiput and the wall will be measured with a ruler while the individual to be tested is standing in contact with the wall.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  5. Posture analysis with Posture Screen Mobile Application

    Posture analysis will be used to determine postural deviations that may occur in individuals. Posture analysis will be performed via the "Posture Screen" application, which can be accessed via smartphones.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  6. Range of Motion

    Cervical region flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation movements, upper extremity shoulder flexion, extension movements, trunk flexion, lateral flexion and extension angles will be measured bilaterally with a digital goniometer. Measurements will be repeated 3 times and the average value will be recorded in degrees

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  7. The shortness of the pectoral muscles

    The shortness of the pectoral muscles will be evaluated with a tape measure.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  8. Sit-Reach test

    The shortness of the hamstring muscle will be evaluated with the Sit-Reach test.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  9. Satisfaction with Body Image

    There is no scale specific to hyperkyphosis deformity in the literature that evaluates individuals' perception of satisfaction with their body image. In the existing studies in the literature, a numerical scale between 0 and 10 was used to evaluate how the perception of satisfaction with body image changes in hyperkyphosis deformity. According to the scale, 0 represents very satisfied with appearance, while 10 represents not satisfied with appearance at all.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  10. Height

    The vertical distance from the top of the head to the heels of the individual. It will be measured in centimeters.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  11. Weight

    The mass of the individual's body in relation to gravity. It will be expressed in kilograms.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  12. Waist Circumference

    A circumferential measurement taken with a tape measure at the narrowest point of the waist, or at the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest, to assess abdominal fat distribution. It will be measured in centimeters.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Istinye University
    Istanbul, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jun 2025 to primary completion in Aug 2025, 1 month.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jun 23, 2025
First posted
Jul 2, 2025
StartActual
Jun 23, 2025
Primary completionActual
Aug 1, 2025
CompletionActual
Aug 1, 2025
Last update
Aug 21, 2025
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 21, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07047781
Lead sponsor
Istinye University
Responsible party
Kubra Koce (Asst. Prof., Istinye University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 2, 2025
Start date
Jun 23, 2025
Primary completion
Aug 1, 2025
Completion
Aug 1, 2025
Last update
Aug 21, 2025

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 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion