Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programme on Smartphone Addiction, Stress and Quality of Life in University Students

This study examined whether a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program could help university students reduce problematic smartphone use and perceived stress and improve their quality of life. The study included 99 university students aged 18 years or older who had high smartphone addiction scores. Two vocational schools at a university in Türkiye were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Students in the intervention group participated in an eight-week mindfulness-based program consisting of one 45-60-minute group session per week. The sessions included breathing exercises, meditation, awareness of thoughts and emotions, and strategies for more mindful smartphone use. Students in the control group continued their usual daily routines without receiving the program. Researchers assessed smartphone addiction, perceived stress, quality of life, and mindfulness before the program, immediately after the eight-week program, and 12 weeks after the program ended. The study aimed to determine whether this brief mindfulness-based program could help university students develop healthier smartphone use habits, manage stress, and improve their overall well-being.

Interventions for PSU Among College Students

This project proposes to evaluate the feasibility and effects of behavioral intervention strategies on problematic smartphone use among college students. The project proposes to evaluate three behavioral intervention components- self-reflection via actively monitoring phone usage, increasing engagement in non-smartphone activities, and contingency management (i.e., financial incentives) - on short-term and long-term reductions in problematic smartphone use (PSU) among college students. The research team will develop a mobile application, referred to as the app, to collect data on a subject's daily phone usage and activity engagement. The app will comprise three features, with specific sets of features being activated during different phases. * Feature 1: The app will autonomously track the time spent on the apps categorized as social media and gaming. * Feature 2: The app will display the daily amount of usage on social media and gaming apps, with an option for a subject to confirm their acknowledgment of the daily time spent. * Feature 3: The app will display an option for subject to confirm their engagement in the alternative activities as planned.

Digital Technology Use, Digit Ratio, and Handgrip Strength in University Students

This observational cross-sectional study examined associations among second-to-fourth digit ratio, handgrip strength, problematic smartphone-use symptoms, problematic Internet-use symptoms, and self-reported smartphone usage time in university students from different regional backgrounds. The analytic sample included 173 students aged 17-26 years from Turkish, Middle Asian, African, and Asian regional backgrounds. Participants completed validated self-report scales for smartphone-use and Internet-use symptoms, and underwent anthropometric, hand morphology, and handgrip strength measurements. The study did not involve randomization, treatment assignment, intervention, or follow-up.

Reducing Digital Distractions to Improve Time Management Among Nursing Students

This study examines whether a short digital abstinence intervention can reduce digital distractions and improve time management among undergraduate nursing students. Excessive smartphone and social media use has been associated with decreased academic productivity, impaired concentration, and poor time management in university students, particularly in demanding programs such as nursing. This quasi-experimental study will evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention in which participants limit or abstain from non-academic smartphone use for a defined period. Nursing students will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated measures of digital distraction and time management. The findings of this study aim to determine whether reducing digital distractions can enhance students' ability to manage their time effectively and improve their academic focus. The results may inform strategies for promoting healthier digital habits and improving academic performance among nursing students.