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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

NCT07627542 · Status: RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 111

Last updated 2026-06-09

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The purpose of this cross-sectional and comparative study is to investigate the impact of smartphone addiction on the cervical posture, musculoskeletal system, balance, and tongue pressure in individuals diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), and to compare these findings with a healthy control group. Smartphone addiction has become a major contributing factor to postural alterations such as Text Neck Syndrome. This study aims to evaluate and compare the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), neck extensor muscle strength, Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT) of the neck and shoulder, Single-Leg Stance (SLS) static balance, and tongue pressure among three distinct groups. A healthy control group will be included as a reference baseline to differentiate the postural and functional deterioration caused by rheumatological diseases from the additional mechanical load imposed by smartphone dependency. To eliminate the misleading effects of acute pain, joint swelling, and severe functional limitations during flare-ups, only patients with stable disease activity (DAS28 \< 3.2 for RA and BASDAI \< 4 for AS) will be enrolled. This approach aims to examine the pure biomechanical relationship between technological dependency and cervical functions, independent of active systemic inflammation.

Conditions

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
  • Forward Head Posture

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Merve Şahin

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Fatma ERDEO, Assistant Professor · Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Health Sciences

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-09
Primary Completion
2026-11-30
Completion
2026-11-30

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07627542 on ClinicalTrials.gov