CompletedNot Applicable

Smartphone Addiction in Cervicogenic Headache

Turkey (Türkiye)78 participantsStarted 2025-06-19

Plain-language summary

Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache disorder that originates from the cervical spine and often presents with pain radiating from the neck to the head, reduced functional capacity, and impaired quality of life. In modern society, prolonged smartphone use and dependence are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to musculoskeletal problems, poor posture, psychological distress, and sleep disturbances. This study was designed as a case-control investigation to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction (problematic smartphone use) and clinical characteristics of cervicogenic headache in comparison with healthy individuals. Participants were evaluated in the outpatient clinics of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology at Yozgat Bozok University. A structured sociodemographic form was administered, and each participant completed a set of validated assessment tools. Smartphone use behavior was assessed with the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form. Headache-related disability was measured with the Headache Impact Test. Cervical function was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index. Psychological status was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sleep quality was examined with the Jenkins Sleep Scale. Health-related quality of life was measured using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey, and pain intensity was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee, and written informed consent was provided by all participants prior to enrollment.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 18-65 years Literate and cognitively capable of completing questionnaires Willing to participate and provide written informed consent For the patient group: Diagnosis of cervicogenic headache based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition, confirmed by a neurologist For the control group: Healthy volunteers with no known medical conditions or active complaints, age- and sex-matched with patients Exclusion Criteria: Comorbidities that may affect pain perception or mood, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, malignancy, chronic kidney disease, neurological diseases associated with neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or fibromyalgia Illiteracy or impaired communication Current use of medications that may interfere with outcome measures Withdrawal of consent at any stage

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form

Timeframe: At baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07292129

SponsorGulseren Demir Karakilic

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-10-03

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cervicogenic Headache trials