Clinical Research Directory

Cyberchondria in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional torsional deformity of the spine and trunk characterized by alignment abnormalities in the coronal plane, the presence of axial rotation in the horizontal plane, and abnormalities in the normal spinal curves (lordosis-kyphosis) in the sagittal plane. The most common type of scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), has a prevalence of approximately 3%. AIS accounts for 85% of all scoliosis types. AIS is the name given to scoliosis diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 18. Because they are actively engaged with the internet, young people have begun researching health-related topics online due to the ease of access to such information. The internet has overshadowed traditional sources of health information, such as social circles, mass media (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, etc.), and medical and non-medical health professionals; searching for medical information online has become a popular activity. Searching for medical information online appears to offer various advantages in terms of anonymity, cost-effectiveness, potential for interaction, opportunities for social support, and the amount of accessible information. However, it also carries significant drawbacks due to the risk of exposure to contradictory, confusing, unreliable, inaccurate, or outdated information. Cyberchondria is when a person's desire to research health-related symptoms online turns into excessive anxiety and repeated online searches. This can increase a person's health-related worries and fears and lead to mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. In today's information age, adolescents spend a large part of their day on the internet using smartphones and researching the symptoms of their current illnesses online before consulting a doctor or when they receive a diagnosis. This tendency can increase their anxiety levels due to misinformation. Cyberchondria is the reflection of anxiety in the digital age. Comorbidity in psychiatric disorders has generally been evaluated, but there are only a limited number of studies investigating the level of cyberchondria in a specific disease. There are no studies examining the relationship between cyberchondria and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This study aims to investigate the levels of cyberchondria and related factors in patients diagnosed with scoliosis and compare them with a control group.

Cyberchondria and Stress in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Many women turn to the internet to seek answers about their condition and treatment. While online information can be helpful, it is not always accurate or consistent, which can increase worry and confusion. This repeated and sometimes excessive searching for health information, known as "cyberchondria," has been linked in previous research to increased stress and anxiety. This study will assess women's online information-seeking patterns, infertility-related stress, and overall emotional and social well-being, aiming to better understand the role of cyberchondria in the infertility treatment process. The results may help healthcare professionals offer more targeted support and guidance to women facing these challenges.

The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Perception and Anxiety Level in Pregnant Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Pregnancy is a unique period in which women require extensive health information both to protect their own health and to prepare for motherhood. The literature indicates that pregnant women most frequently seek information on healthy nutrition, physical activity, fetal development, pregnancy symptoms, childbirth preparation, vaccination, and medication use. Although health professionals are considered reliable sources of information, due to limited accessibility, pregnant women often turn to the internet and social media. This increases the risk of exposure to inaccurate or incomplete information and may sometimes lead to cyberchondria. Moreover, during pregnancy, factors such as educational level, socioeconomic conditions, and family relationships contribute to the frequent occurrence of anxiety disorders, which can negatively affect the mother's quality of life and fetal development. Health perception, on the other hand, is an important concept that shapes individuals' health behaviors and responsibilities. However, studies examining the relationship between cyberchondria, anxiety levels, and health perception in pregnant women are limited. This study aims to reveal the relationship between health information-seeking behaviors, health perception, and anxiety levels in this special population of pregnant women.