Frequency-Dependent Effects of Mobilization-Based Exercise on Dynamic Postural Control in Orchestra Musicians: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF MOBILIZATION-BASED EXERCISE ON DYNAMIC POSTURAL CONTROL IN ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS: AN EXPLORATORY RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Orchestra musicians are exposed to prolonged asymmetric postures and repetitive upper-quarter loading that may affect postural control. This exploratory randomized controlled trial examined whether a four-week mobilization-based exercise program, delivered once or twice weekly, was associated with changes in static sensory-dependent balance and dynamic voluntary weight-shifting control.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Postural Control; Postural; Postural Balance Disorders; Orchestra
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Experimental Group 1 Mobilization Exercises; Other: Experimental Group 2 Mobilization Exercises

Detailed Description

Posture is an important biomechanical concept that refers to the alignment of an individual's body segments against gravity in static or dynamic conditions. Postural control and balance are of great importance for individuals to perform daily living activities safely and effectively. Impairments in postural stability may lead to loss of balance, decreased movement efficiency, and mechanical loading on the musculoskeletal system, thereby predisposing individuals to problems such as pain and restricted movement. These negative outcomes become more pronounced particularly in groups whose professional performance largely depends on the precise and controlled use of the body.

Although there are various studies in the literature examining the effects of exercise programs aimed at preventing and correcting postural disorders, experimental studies investigating the effects of such interventions on postural control, particularly among orchestra musicians and in relation to different application frequencies, remain quite limited.

In this context, the present study aims to examine the effects of mobilization-based exercises and different application frequencies on postural control in individuals participating in an orchestra.

The study group consists of a total of 23 musicians who are flute and string instrument students enrolled in the orchestra-chamber music course. The participants were divided into three groups: a control group (n = 7), Experimental Group 1 (n = 8), and Experimental Group 2 (n = 8).

The research process will be carried out in four stages: pre-test, exercise intervention, acute test, and post-test. In the study, the Virtual Reality-Based Static Posturography System (StaticVR Virtualis) will be used to assess postural control.

It is hypothesized that the level of postural control will improve significantly over time in the experimental groups receiving mobilization-based exercises.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 23
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Battalgazi
    • Malatya, Battalgazi, Turkey (Türkiye), 0444
      • Department of Physical Education and Sport Teaching, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Inonu University,, Malatya, Malatya 44280

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being an active musician participating in an orchestra.
• Being able to regularly attend all assessments and exercise sessions throughout the research process.
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study.
• Having no neurological, orthopedic, or systemic health condition that could prevent posturography assessments or exercise applications.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a neurological disorder that could affect balance performance.
• Failing to regularly attend exercise sessions or assessment sessions.
• Having an acute musculoskeletal injury or serious orthopedic problem that could prevent assessment or exercise application.
• Wishing to withdraw from the study during the research process.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental Group 1; For Experimental Group 1 (n = 8), the mobilization exercise program was applied once a week.	Other: Experimental Group 1 Mobilization Exercises; The mobilization-based program, consisting of Cat-Camel Mobilization (2 × 15), Foam Roller Thoracic Extension (2 × 15), Scapular Retraction/Protraction (2 × 15), Pectoralis Minor Wall Stretch (2 × 30 s), Cervical Side Glide (2 × 15), and Shoulder Controlled Articular Rotations (2 × 12), was applied to Experimental Group 2 (n = 8) twice a week for 4 weeks.
Experimental: Experimental Group 2; For Experimental Group 2 (n = 8), the mobilization exercise program was applied twice a week.	Other: Experimental Group 2 Mobilization Exercises; The mobilization-based program, consisting of Cat-Camel Mobilization (2 × 15), Foam Roller Thoracic Extension (2 × 15), Scapular Retraction/Protraction (2 × 15), Pectoralis Minor Wall Stretch (2 × 30 s), Cervical Side Glide (2 × 15), and Shoulder Controlled Articular Rotations (2 × 12), was applied to Experimental Group 1 (n = 8) once a week for 4 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in postural control	Postural control will be assessed using the StaticVR Virtualis virtual reality-based static posturography system. Change in postural control will be determined by comparing measurements obtained at baseline, acute assessment, and post-intervention.	Baseline (Week 0), acute assessment (Week 2), and post-intervention (Week 4)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Acute change in postural control	Short-term change in postural control will be assessed using the StaticVR Virtualis system by comparing baseline and week 2 measurements.	Baseline (Week 0) and Week 2
Post-intervention change in postural control	Post-intervention change in postural control will be assessed using the StaticVR Virtualis system by comparing baseline and week 4 measurements.	Baseline (Week 0) and Week 4

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Inonu University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Özgür EKEN, PhD, Assoc. Prof, İnönu University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Baadjou VAE, Roussel NA, Verbunt JAMCF, Smeets RJEM, de Bie RA. Systematic review: risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. Occup Med (Lond). 2016 Nov 1;66(8):614-622. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqw052.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 5, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): May 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: postural control; mobilization; posturography; reaction time; postural; orchestra musicians; directional control
• Other Study ID Numbers: INONU-POSTUR-2026-001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: The individual participant data will not be shared to maintain the confidentiality of the participants, as per the ethical approval guidelines

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No