Actively Recruiting
An Investigation of the Effect of Smartphone Usage Levels on Cervical Posture, Tongue Pressure, Balance, and Neck Disability in Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Led by Merve Şahin · Updated on 2026-06-04
111
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
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AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how smartphone addiction affects neck posture, muscle function, balance, and tongue pressure in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). The study compares these individuals with a healthy control group to understand the added impact of smartphone use on posture and function beyond the effects of these diseases. Only patients with stable disease activity are included to focus on biomechanical effects without interference from active inflammation. The study involves three groups of 37 participants each: those with RA, those with AS, and healthy controls. Each participant will undergo a single session of assessments that include questionnaires on smartphone use and neck disability, measurements of neck posture (craniovertebral angle), neck muscle strength, balance tests, pressure pain thresholds, and tongue pressure. These evaluations are conducted in a specific order by a physiotherapist without any treatment or follow-up. Participants will provide information about their health, habits, and smartphone use, followed by physical tests measuring posture, muscle strength, balance, pain sensitivity, and tongue function. The main outcome measured is smartphone addiction level, with additional assessments of neck disability and physical function. Data will be analyzed to explore relationships between smartphone addiction and physical parameters across the three groups. The study aims to complete these assessments in one visit, focusing on understanding how technology use affects physical health in RA and AS.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
An Investigation of the Effect of Smartphone Usage Levels on Cervical Posture, Tongue Pressure, Balance, and Neck Dysability in Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged between 18 and 65 years.
- Using a smartphone for at least 2 hours daily.
- Able to understand and follow postural commands during clinical measurements.
- Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis by a rheumatologist with stable disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2) for the RA group.
- Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis by a rheumatologist with stable disease activity (BASDAI < 4) for the AS group.
You will not qualify if you...
- History of prior surgical intervention in the cervical region.
- Presence of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease or ALS.
- Severe visual or hearing impairment.
- Vestibular system disorders.
- Severe limitation in jaw opening.
- Presence of acute neck trauma or malignancy.
- Lower extremity amputation or advanced arthritis preventing balance test performance.
- Active use of muscle relaxants or advanced sedative medications.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single session
Participants complete a single comprehensive assessment session including questionnaires and physical measurements related to smartphone usage, cervical posture, tongue pressure, balance, and neck disability.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic
Konya, Meram, Turkey (Türkiye), 42090
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
F
Fatma ERDEO, Assistant Professor
M
Merve ŞAHİN, PT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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