An observational study in Low Back Pain, sponsored by Cairo University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-12-03.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Observational
This study will attempt to assess the relation between, core muscle endurance, lumber spine curvature and function among smartphone-addicts university students with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
It has been demonstrated that using a smartphone increases lumbar and cervical flexion. Moreover, using a smartphone while slouched increased the strain on the lumbar spine's muscles and capsular structures. Similarly, in other research, individuals with or without low back pain (LBP) experienced greater thoracic kyphosis and lumber lordosis following a brief period of smart phone use while seated.
In adults, mechanical LBP is frequently reported. Notably, there are several risk factors, including the excessive use of electronic and handheld electronic devices. Additionally, Back pain is linked to morphological changes in multifidus and erector spinae as a cross-sectional region.
In addition, core muscles are crucial for carrying out different motions or sustaining postures in day-to-day activities, particularly when sitting in a chair. They not only help to maintain endurance but also give the trunk muscles stability. Furthermore, weakness of the trunk muscles has been identified as a risk factor for LBP. Similarly, weak trunk muscular strength was linked to poor balance and functional performance. As a result, core muscle dysfunction leads to decreased trunk muscular strength, dynamic balance, and functional mobility.
Given these concerns, it is necessary to conduct further studies on the musculoskeletal problems linked to smartphone use. Therefore, all individuals experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort especially mechanical LBP should have their smartphone addiction level examined. Special attention should be given to addressing smartphone addiction and its musculoskeletal consequences on undergraduate students. Since young adults are a population that uses mobile phones often, they are an urgent group to investigate. However, no study has investigated the impact of smartphone use on the spinal and pelvic posture during standing and walking.
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This study's planned enrollment of 65 is below the median of 100 across 475 observational studies indexed under Low Back Pain.
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This study was conducted with a total of 65 participants. They were assigned into two groups, consisting of both genders with smartphone addiction according to the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and university students who had been experiencing chronic nonspecific low back pain for a period of at least six months
Exclusion Criteria:
This group included 33 smartphone-addicted participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Other: non
This group included 32 smartphone-addicted participants without chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Other: non
Assessment of smartphone addiction
Smartphone addiction is examined using the Smartphone Addiction scale (SAS), which is a self-diagnosis instrument that identifies smartphone addicts. The final version included 33 items that revealed the presence of six subscales, including daily life disruption, positive anticipation, withdrawal, cyberspace-oriented connection, overuse, and tolerance. The items are assessed on a six-point Likert scale as follows: strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), weakly disagree (3), weakly agree (4), agree (5), and strongly agree (6). The total of the six subscales equals the SAS score, which ranges from 33 to 198; higher scores indicate more addicted behavior with smartphone use.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Assessment of lumbar spinal curvature
Kinovea software will be used to measure lumbar spinal curvature. The subject should be positioned in a sidelong stance without footwear, aligned with their back against a calibration plane, and their shoulders and elbows flexed at an angle of 90 degrees. Clearly delineate both earlobes on the subject Ascertain the critical reference points along the lumbar spine at 12 thoracic vertebra, third lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra. To ascertain the lordosis angle, identify the point on the lumbar spine that is nearest to the plumb line. Construct two lines that run parallel to the curvature of the lumbar region at both the superior and inferior aspects. Employ Kinovea to measure the angle formed at the intersection of these two lines. Deduct this measurement from 180° to derive the lordosis angle
Time frame: 8 weeks
Assessment of trunk anterior flexor test
During the trunk anterior flexor test, individuals sit with their hands over their chest, trunk flexed to sixty degrees, and knee flexed to ninety degrees, time starts when participants adopt the measured posture and ends when the trunk deviates from the 60º angle. The investigator uses the commands 'start' and 'stop' to begin and end the test, while an assisting investigator uses a stopwatch to record the times
Time frame: 8 weeks
Assessment of lateral musculature plank test
It will be applied for both sides. In the left lateral musculature plank test, participants' feet are placed one on top of the other, the right arm perpendicular to the floor, elbow lying on the mat, left arm across the chest, and left hand on the right shoulder. A similar position is used for the right lateral musculature plank test, with the left arm perpendicular to the floor. The investigator uses the commands 'start' and 'stop' to begin and end the test, while an assisting investigator uses a stopwatch to record the times. When the investigator observes an error in the line between the participants' trunk or lower body parts (thigh or shank), then time will be stopped.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Trunk posterior extensor test
Participants lie prone on an examination table for the trunk posterior extensor test, with both anterior superior iliac spines (ASISs) on the table's edge and their hands on the seat of a chair positioned in front of them. Assistance held the lower extremities above and below the participants' knees to secure the lower body. Time begins when participants establish a horizontal posture of the trunk, detach their hands from the chair and then cross them over their chest, and time will be stopped when participants are unable to maintain that position.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Assessment of back functional disability
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is regarded as the 'gold standard' of low back functional outcome instruments. The questionnaire measures the level of impairment in ten activities of daily living: Pain intensity, Personal care, Lifting, Walking, Sitting, Standing, Sleeping, Sex (if applicable), Social, Travel. Each item has six statements that are evaluated from 0 to 5. The overall score is determined as a percentage, with 0% representing no disability and 100% indicating the highest level of disability
Time frame: 8 weeks
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Cairo University