Participants with smartphone addiction

Participants without smarthone addiction

Head posture was assessed using photographic methods and craniovertebral angle

Body awareness will be assessed using a questionnaire designed to determine normal or abnormal sensitivity levels in body composition. The questionnaire consists of four subgroups: 1) Changes in body processes, 2) Sleep-wake cycle, 3) Prediction of disease onset, and 4) Prediction of body responses, with a total of 18 items. Participants were asked to rate each item using a scale from 1 to 7. It has a minimum score of 18 and a maximum score of 126, with higher scores indicating greater body awareness. The validity and reliability of this questionnaire have been reported to be high.

Head posture will be assessed using photographic methods and craniovertebral angle. The craniovertebral angle is calculated as the angle between a horizontal line passing through C7 and a line extending from the tragus of the ear to C7 [23]. An angle less than 49 degrees indicates an anterior head position.

The cervical PPTs will be assessed using a mechanical pressure algometer (Baseline Force Gauge Model 12-0304; Baseline, NY, USA). A force will be applied perpendicularly to a 0.5 cm² area at an approximate rate of 3 N/s. While the patient is seated, pressure is applied at the midpoint of the upper trapezius muscle, and 2 cm lateral to the C2 spinous process bilaterally [25]. For each area, two measurements are taken at intervals, and the average of these measurements is calculated to determine the final value.

Cervical mobility will assessed using the CROM (Cervical Range of Motion) deluxe device, developed by the University of Minnesota. The CROM is an inclinometer system that utilizes gravity and magnetic effects [26]. It is validated for accuracy and reliability. The device consists of two fixed inclinometers for the sagittal and frontal planes, a horizontal inclinometer with a magnetic needle mounted on the top of the device, a magnetic neck brace, a scale-equipped arm with a ruler mounted on the top, and a vertebra locator arm with a weighing system.