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CTRI Number  CTRI/2025/07/092113 [Registered on: 31/07/2025] Trial Registered Prospectively
Last Modified On: 30/07/2025
Post Graduate Thesis  Yes 
Type of Trial  Observational 
Type of Study   Cross Sectional Study 
Study Design  Other 
Public Title of Study   How Smartphone Use Affects Hand Strength: A Comparison Between General Users and Badminton Players 
Scientific Title of Study   Effect of Smartphone Use on Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, and Pressure Pain Threshold in General Users Versus Badminton Players 
Trial Acronym  NIL 
Secondary IDs if Any  
Secondary ID  Identifier 
NIL  NIL 
 
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)  
Name  Pushpa N Nayak 
Designation  Postgraduate  
Affiliation  SDM COLLEGE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY, DHARWAD 
Address  OPD number 5 ortho Physiotherapy Department, SDM College of Physiotherapy, SDM College of Medical Science and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India 580009

Dharwad
KARNATAKA
580009
India 
Phone  6361059557  
Fax    
Email  pushpa08042001@gmail.com  
 
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
 
Name  Pushpa N Nayak 
Designation  Postgraduate  
Affiliation  SDM COLLEGE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY, DHARWAD 
Address  OPD number 5 ortho Physiotherapy Department, SDM College of Physiotherapy, SDM College of Medical Science and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India 580009

Dharwad
KARNATAKA
580009
India 
Phone  6361059557  
Fax    
Email  pushpa08042001@gmail.com  
 
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
 
Name  Dr Rajeev Kumar Lal 
Designation  Vice Principal, Professor and PG Guide, SDM College of Physiotherapy. 
Affiliation  SDM College of Physiotherapy. 
Address  OPD number 5 ortho Physiotherapy Department, SDM College of Physiotherapy, SDM College of Medical Science and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India 580009

Dharwad
KARNATAKA
580009
India 
Phone  9986202056  
Fax    
Email  lalrk@yahoo.com  
 
Source of Monetary or Material Support  
SDM college of Medical science and hospital SDM college of Physiotherapy Manjushree Nagar Sattur Dharwad Karnataka 580009 India  
 
Primary Sponsor  
Name  Pushpa N Nayak 
Address  OPD number 5 ortho Physiotherapy Department, SDM College of Physiotherapy, SDM College of Medical Science and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India 580009 
Type of Sponsor  Other [self] 
 
Details of Secondary Sponsor  
Name  Address 
NIL  NIL 
 
Countries of Recruitment     India  
Sites of Study  
No of Sites = 1  
Name of Principal Investigator  Name of Site  Site Address  Phone/Fax/Email 
Dr Pushpa Nayak  Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar hospital Dharwad Karanatak 580009  OPD number 5 ortho Physiotherapy Department, SDM College of Physiotherapy, SDM College of Medical Science and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, KARNATAKA 580009
Dharwad
KARNATAKA 
6361059557

pushpa08042001@gmail.com 
 
Details of Ethics Committee  
No of Ethics Committees= 1  
Name of Committee  Approval Status 
Institutional Ethics Committee of SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital   Approved 
 
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI  
Status 
Not Applicable 
 
Health Condition / Problems Studied  
Health Type  Condition 
Healthy Human Volunteers  HEALTHY YOUNG INDIVIDUALS 
 
Intervention / Comparator Agent  
Type  Name  Details 
Comparator Agent  Group A   smartphone users: minimum 24 hours to 30 hours per week 
Comparator Agent  Group B   Badminton players: Minimum 34 weeks per year of badminton play and 24to 30 hours per week of smartphone use. 
 
Inclusion Criteria  
Age From  18.00 Year(s)
Age To  28.00 Year(s)
Gender  Both 
Details  1) Individuals using smartphone in hand.
2) Individuals playing badminton and also using
smartphone.
3) Age range from 18 to 28 years
4) Either gender.
5) Individuals who use same smart phone minimum 24 to 30 hours per week for at least 1 year.
6) Individuals who have been using a smartphone
for at least 24 to 30 hours per week and playing
badminton for a minimum of 34 weeks per year for at least 1 year.
7) Individuals from Dharwad (urban) 
 
ExclusionCriteria 
Details  1) Any deformity in the hand.
2) Any history of surgery past 1 year.
3) Any fracture in upper limb past 1 year.
4) Individuals who had neurological problems
affecting the upper limb.
5) Individuals who have infection or any
inflammatory condition in upper limb.
6) Individuals not willing to participate.
7) Individuals who use smartphone less than 24
hours in week.
8) Individuals who engage in gym workouts, participate in other sports, or regularly use
desktops.
9) Individuals having trigger points other than hand.  
 
Method of Generating Random Sequence   Not Applicable 
Method of Concealment   Not Applicable 
Blinding/Masking   Not Applicable 
Primary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
1.Algometer
2.Hydraulic hand dynamometer
3.Hydraulic pinch gauge 
1.Algometer - baseline
2.Hydraulic hand dynamometer - baseline
3.Hydraulic pinch gauge - baseline 
 
Secondary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
NIL  NIL 
 
Target Sample Size   Total Sample Size="54"
Sample Size from India="54" 
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" 
Phase of Trial   N/A 
Date of First Enrollment (India)   22/08/2025 
Date of Study Completion (India) Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials 
Date of First Enrollment (Global)  Date Missing 
Date of Study Completion (Global) Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials 
Estimated Duration of Trial   Years="1"
Months="0"
Days="0" 
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)   Not Applicable 
Recruitment Status of Trial (India)  Not Yet Recruiting 
Publication Details   N/A 
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement

Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?  

Response - NO
Brief Summary  
This is a cross-sectional observational study aimed at investigating the musculoskeletal effects of prolonged smartphone use on hand function and determining whether regular engagement in a physically demanding sport like badminton can counteract these effects. With smartphones becoming indispensable in everyday life, many young adults use them for more than 24 to 30 hours per week. This excessive use, especially when combined with poor hand and wrist posture, is associated with musculoskeletal strain, decreased grip and pinch strength, and an increased sensitivity to pain. In contrast, badminton is a sport that requires repetitive and dynamic use of the upper limbs, involving quick reflexes, coordinated wrist actions, and sustained grip, which may improve muscle strength, endurance, and proprioception in the hands. This study aims to explore whether the beneficial physical demands of badminton can offset the potential negative effects of prolonged smartphone use. A total of 54 participants aged between 18 and 28 years will be included in the study and divided into two groups: Group A, consisting of general smartphone users with a usage time of at least 24 hours per week for a minimum of one year, and Group B, consisting of badminton players who also meet the same smartphone usage criteria but have played badminton for at least 34 weeks per year. Participants with a history of recent upper limb injuries, surgeries, fractures, or neurological deficits affecting hand function will be excluded to ensure data reliability. The outcome measures assessed in the study are grip strength, pinch strength, and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Grip strength will be measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer, with the participant seated, shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, elbow at 90°, and forearm and wrist in neutral position. Pinch strength will be assessed using a hydraulic pinch gauge, evaluating tip-to-tip, key pinch, and palmar pinch strength, all measured with proper hand positioning. The pressure pain threshold will be assessed using a digital pressure algometer, applied over a standard point on the thenar eminence. For each of the three outcome parameters, three trials will be conducted, and the average value will be taken as the final score to ensure measurement accuracy and consistency. A minimum rest interval of 1 minute will be given between each trial to prevent fatigue and muscle strain, thereby maintaining the validity of the results. Measurements for the badminton players will be taken 24 hours post-training to ensure the muscle has returned to a neutral state and to avoid acute changes due to immediate physical exertion. The study will help in understanding the contrast between sedentary smartphone-related hand use and the effects of active, sport-related hand use on hand function.
 
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