Studying How Smartphone Use Affects Neck Posture, Tongue Pressure, Balance, and Neck Disability in Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Compared to Healthy Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how smartphone addiction affects cervical posture, the musculoskeletal system, balance, and tongue pressure in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis RA and Ankylosing Spondylitis AS, compared to healthy individuals. The study focuses on those with stable disease activity to avoid the effects of acute pain and inflammation. It aims to understand the biomechanical impact of smartphone use separate from active disease symptoms. The study includes three groups of 37 participants each RA, AS, and a healthy control group. Participants will undergo a single assessment session where various measurements are taken, including smartphone addiction levels, neck posture angle, neck muscle strength, pain sensitivity, balance tests, and tongue pressure. No treatments or follow-ups are involved. Participants will complete questionnaires about their demographics, smartphone usage, and symptoms, followed by physical tests conducted by a physiotherapist. The researchers will analyze correlations between smartphone addiction and physical function measures, comparing results across the clinical groups and healthy controls. The entire participation involves one visit with no ongoing monitoring.

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