To determine the factors affecting the performance of the deep cervical flexors (DCFs) in young people using smartphones.Eighty-six individuals were enrolled in this study. Joint position sense err...

Background/aim: The Profile Fitness Mapping neck questionnaire (ProFitMap-neck) is a reliable and valid assessment instrument for measuring neck-related symptoms and functional limitations in people with neck pain, but a Turkish version of it had not been published. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation, validity, and intrarater reliability of the Turkish version of the ProFitMap-neck. Materials and methods: Two hundred and thirty-five individuals with chronic neck pain were enrolled in the study. Intrarater reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha was calculated for internal consistency. For concurrent validity, ProlitMap-neck scores were compared with neck disability index (NDI) and visual analoguepain scale (VAS) scores using Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. 'I he ProFitMap-neck, NDI, VAS, and short form health survey (SF-36) were administered to all participants. Results: For intrarater analysis, ICC ranged between 0.72 and 0.84. The total score was 0.83, indicating excellent reliability. The correlation of the ProFitMap-neck with NDI and VAS was 0.71 and 0.68, respectively, indicating good concurrent validity. Conclusion: The ProFitMap-neck is an evaluation instrument with sufficient validity and reliability to be used for evaluating Turkish patients with neck pain. Use of this scale can reveal how, how often, and how much these patients' pain affects their symptoms and functional activities.

BACKGROUND: Hands execute intricate tasks vital for everyday life and professions such as cooking, tailoring, and craftsmanship. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish reference data for hand grip and palmar pinch force sense in young adults, accounting for gender differences, and to determine the correlation between these data and school-entry ages. METHODS: The cross-sectional observational study comprised 284 participants (156 females and 128 males). Demographic details, including age, gender, weight, and height, were recorded. Participant ages ranged from 18 to 29, representing the youth workforce population as defined by the International Labour Organization. Factors like hand dominance and school-entry age were ascertained based on participants’ self-reports. Hand grip and palmar pinch force senses were separately assessed in the dominant and non-dominant hands of 130 randomly chosen participants to evaluate test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Hand grip (dominant: p < 0.001, non-dominant: p = 0.002) and palmar pinch force sense errors were significantly lower in male participants compared to females. Palmar pinch force sense error for the dominant hand was reduced in males (p = 0.002), but no significant disparity existed between genders for the non-dominant hand (p = 0.222). Healthy adults who began school at age five or earlier exhibited a decreased force sense error rate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Force sense error reference values vary based on gender and school-entry age. This reference data will aid rehabilitation specialists working with young adults in physiotherapy and occupational therapy fields in identifying potential impairments.

This study elucidates the cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Smart Tools Proneness Questionnaire (STP-Q), designed to probe into individuals’ engagement with smart tools within the Turkish cultural milieu. Undertaking a rigorous adaptation process, this investigation aimed to ensure the questionnaire’s relevance and intelligibility, subsequently, assessing its psychometric properties within a cohort of 387 participants. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a tripartite structure that reflects the original instrument, covering utilitarian use, hedonic and social use, and the inclination to delegate tasks. This congruity underscores the STP-Q’s adeptness in capturing the complex dimensions of smart tool interaction across various contexts. Demonstrated by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.954 and a test-retest reliability index of 0.851, the results affirm the questionnaire’s exceptional internal consistency and significant temporal stability. Further, the execution of convergent validity assessments alongside the E-Learning Readiness Scale and the Nomophobia Questionnaire augmented the STP-Q’s validity, unveiling correlations that delineate the intricate interrelations among smart tool proneness, e-learning readiness, and nomophobia. Conclusively, the STP-Q distinguishes itself as a reliable and valid instrument for gauging tendencies towards smart tool use among the Turkish populace, providing profound insights into digital behavior across different cultural backgrounds. Its confirmed three-factor structure and robust psychometric attributes render it an indispensable resource for both individual assessments and expansive digital behavior investigations, enabling cross-cultural comparisons and enhancing our understanding of technology engagement dynamics.