Postural Rehabilitation for Visual Dysfunction in Forward Head Posture

August 25, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Postural Rehabilitation Through Motor Control Versus Sensor-based Biofeedback Training for Visual Dysfunction in Forward Head Posture

This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of motor control training, sensor-based biofeedback training using a wearable inertial measurement unit, and standardized postural correction exercises on mild visual dysfunction in university students with forward head posture. The trial seeks to establish whether targeted postural rehabilitation can produce measurable improvements in validated visual and sensorimotor outcomes.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Forward head posture is highly prevalent among young adults due to prolonged screen exposure and sustained cervical flexion. Emerging neurophysiological evidence suggests that cervical alignment influences visual stability through altered proprioceptive input, cervico-ocular reflex mechanisms, and sensorimotor integration. However, no randomized controlled trials have investigated whether correcting FHP leads to measurable improvements in validated visual parameters.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
72

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Capital
      • Islamabad, Capital, Pakistan, 46000
        • Recruiting
        • Post-graduate research Lab, Riphah international university, gulberg greens campus, islamabad
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Aisha Razzaq, PHD*

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-30 years Both genders BMI 17.5-27.99 CVA <50° Mild visual impairment log Mar 0.1-0.5

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • Head and neck trauma or surgical history, Neurological disorders

    • Vestibular disorders, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
    • Congenital head and neck postural abnormality
    • Diagnosed oculomotor pathology (strabismus, nystagmus)
    • Diagnosed congenital ocular defects (corneal dystrophies)
    • Diagnosed glaucoma, cataract, uncorrected refractive errors
    • Diagnosed diabetes

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: motor control training group
the motor control training is done in the stationary and in motion conditions with and without inertia and with and without object manipulations for the forward head posture participants.
Other: motor control training
the intervention will be a progressive training starting from the stationary, no inertia and no object manipulation to in motion with inertia and with object manipulation taking help of sitting standing and stepping stairs like activities keep the head in normal position with the help of a laser gun. the intervention duration is 45 minutes/day, with three sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Experimental: Sensor biofeedback training group
Real time biofeedback training is being done through the sensor being applied to cervical spine during normal day activities.
Device: Sensor development training group
the sensor will be being placed at cervical vertebrae C7 measuring current craniovertebral angle with the threshold being set at 50 degrees. the real time feedback will be shown on the mobile app. and the data will be recorded for whole intervention time. the intervention duration is 45 minutes/day, with three sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Experimental: conventional postural training
this program consists on strengthening of deep cervical flexors and scapular retractors and stretching of cervical extensors and pectoralis major muscles
Other: conventional posture training
the strengthening of deep neck flexors and retractors and stretching of pectoralis major and cervical extensors will be done using intervention duration is 45 minutes/day, with three sessions per week for 4 weeks.
No Intervention: control group
postural education about proper ergonomics is being shared to the participants

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
visual impairment
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
The mild visual impairment will be measured by LogMar chart. the smallest line that person can read will be recorded as reading of visual impairment. the score is generally in form of fractions.
baseline to 8th week
oculomotor function
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
this will be measured by the near point convergence test. the point at which blurring stated by participant will be measured in cms.
baseline to 8th week
visual reaction time
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
this will be measured on visual reaction time app on phone. the person has to click the screen when the stimulus arrives on screen. The average of 3 readings will be recorded as the visual reaction time
baseline to 8th week
visual fatigue
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
The visual fatigue will be measured by 17 item asthenopia questionnaire (ASQ-17). the score will be marked on 5 point likert scale with greater score shows more severity
baseline to 8th week
craniovertebral angle (CVA)
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
this will be measured by mobile app specified for said purpose. sideways picture will be taken and CVA will be noted from the app.
baseline to 8th week

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
flexor muscle endurance
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
this will be measure by flexor endurance test as the end of couch in supine lying with head lift in chin tuck in position. the time of hold in seconds will be noted.
baseline to 8th week
extensor muscle endurance
Time Frame: baseline to 8th weeks
the test will be done in prone lying holding the head in static position at the end of couch. the time of hold will be measured in seconds.
baseline to 8th weeks
pelvic tilt
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
the pelvic tilt will be measured by the pelvic inclinometer in degrees by place its both ends at anterior superior iliac spine.
baseline to 8th week
static balance
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
the static balance will be measured by Balance Error Scoring System test. the readings in double foot stance, single leg stance and tandem stance will be done on firm and foam surface and the composite score will be used. the no. of wrrors in adopting position will be marked as points. total score is 60. lower score indicate good balance.
baseline to 8th week
dynamic balance
Time Frame: baseline to 8th week
The dynamic balance will be measured by the Y-balance test in anterior, postero-medial and postero-latertal positions. the composite score according to formula will be taken as final score. the higher score indicates good balance.
baseline to 8th week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Riphah International University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Qamar Mehmood, PHD, Riphah internatioal university

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 25, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 25, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • RiphahIU Aisha Razzaq

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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