Smartphone Addiction in Cervicogenic Headache

Gulseren Demir Karakilic

Status: Completed

Conditions: Smartphone Addiction; Cervicogenic Headache

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07292129

2025-GOKAEK-2512_2025.06.18_50

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache that arises from dysfunction or pathology of the cervical spine and associated structures. It is characterized by unilateral head and neck pain, which may radiate to the frontal or temporal regions and is often aggravated by neck movements. Cervicogenic headache is known to cause substantial functional disability, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.

With the rapid increase in smartphone use worldwide, attention has been drawn to its possible musculoskeletal and psychological consequences. Prolonged forward head posture, repetitive neck movements, and excessive screen time may contribute to cervical dysfunction and exacerbate symptoms of cervicogenic headache. In addition, behavioral dependence on smartphones has been associated with mood disorders, sleep disturbances, and impaired daily functioning. Understanding the potential role of smartphone addiction as a modifiable factor in cervicogenic headache is therefore of clinical importance.

The present study was designed as a case-control observational protocol to investigate the association between smartphone addiction and clinical outcomes in individuals with cervicogenic headache compared with healthy controls. Data were collected in the outpatient clinics of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology at Yozgat Bozok University.

A standardized sociodemographic form was administered, followed by a comprehensive set of validated assessment instruments. These included the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form to evaluate problematic smartphone use, the Headache Impact Test to measure the burden of headaches on daily life, the Neck Disability Index to assess functional limitations related to cervical spine disorders, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to screen for symptoms of anxiety and depression, the Jenkins Sleep Scale to evaluate sleep quality and disturbances, the 12-item Short Form Health Survey to assess physical and mental aspects of health-related quality of life, and the Visual Analog Scale to record the intensity of pain.

All assessments were performed face-to-face by trained professionals in a clinical setting. The study protocol was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before enrollment, and all procedures were carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Enrollment: 78 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

78 participants in 2 patient groups

Cervicogenic Headache Group

Description:

Adults between 18 and 65 years of age diagnosed with cervicogenic headache based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria included systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, neurological conditions associated with neuropathic pain, and rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or fibromyalgia. Participants with communication difficulties, illiteracy, or those who declined participation were also excluded.

Healthy Control Group

Description:

Age- and sex-matched adults without cervicogenic headache or other chronic medical conditions served as controls. Controls were between 18 and 65 years of age, cognitively intact, literate, and willing to participate. Exclusion criteria were the same as for the cervicogenic headache group, including systemic, neurological, or rheumatological diseases, illiteracy, or refusal to participate.