Forward Head PostureNCT06850077
Comparison of Prefrontal Hemodynamic Responses and Balance Control Differences Based on Head Posture and Task Difficulty in Cognitive-Balance Tasks
An observational study of Forward Head Posture and Normal Head Posture, run by Sahmyook University at 1 site in South Korea.
Trial summary
Recent studies have shown that individuals with forward head posture (FHP) experience not only impaired balance control but also cognitive deficits. Using a balance-cognitive dual-task paradigm, this study aims to explore the relationship between balance ability and Prefrontal cortex(PFC) oxygenation levels(△HbO2) in… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 39 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Forward Head Posture, Normal Head Posture
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive-Balance dual task
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSouth Korea
- Study dates
- 27 Apr 2025to 20 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 39 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Participants will be recruited from Samyook University(Seoul, South Korea) or local communities in Daegu or Seoul, South Korea. Recruitment will primarily target individuals who regularly engage in academic or sedentary activities. The study population will consist of individuals classified based on postural characteristics, specifically Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP), assessed using craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurements. Recruitment will take place through campus advertisements, online postings, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adults aged 20 to 39 years
- Classified as having Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP) based on Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) measurement
Who cannot join
- Individuals with a history of spinal or musculoskeletal trauma or surgery
- Individuals who have reported recent neck or shoulder pain
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
- Recent studies have shown that individuals with forward head posture (FHP) experience not only impaired balance control but also cognitive deficits.
- Using a balance-cognitive dual-task paradigm, this study aims to explore the relationship between balance ability and Prefrontal cortex(PFC) oxygenation levels(△HbO2) in individuals with FHP compared to those with normal head posture(NHP).
- By analyzing differences in frontal lobe activation based on task difficulty, this study is expected to provide practical data for designing balance training and cognitive-motor intervention programs tailored to individuals with FHP.
Read the detailed description
- This study is a cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the differences in balance ability between individuals with forward head posture (FHP) and those with normal head posture (NHP), as well as the differences in frontal lobe oxygenation levels during a balance-cognitive dual task.
Study participants will be assigned to receive two groups: (a) Forward head posture (b) Normal head posture. Each group will perform three balance tasks while simultaneously completing three cognitive tasks. To determine the differences, the primary outcome will assess prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic response, and the secondary outcome will assess balance ability.
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture, Normal Head Posture
- Being tested
- Cognitive-Balance dual task
- Keywords
- forward head posture, dual task, prefrontal cortex, cognition
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive-Balance dual taskBehavioural
The cognitive-balance dual task consists of three levels of difficulty and is performed simultaneously.
The cognitive tasks include the N-back test, while the balance tasks consist of static balance tasks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Forward head posture group | The experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities.
During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed. Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task | |
| Normal head posture group | The experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities.
During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed. Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The degree of hemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex (PFC)
Hemodynamic response changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) will be assessed by measuring variations in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The study will compare HbO concentration changes between the control and experimental groups during cognitive-balance task performance.
Measured: From enrollment to 2 days
Secondary outcomes (1)
Balance performance
Static and dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the Good Balance system (Metitur, Finland). The assessment will be conducted on a triangular platform by measuring changes in the center of pressure (COP), regardless of foot position. The results will be reported as variations in COP displacement and velocity.
Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the Four Square Step Test (FSST). Participants will step in four quadrants formed by rods or tape arranged in a cross pattern. The time taken to complete the FSST will be recorded in seconds.
Measured: From enrollment to 2 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Feb 2025
- Study start27 Apr 2025
- Primary completion20 Oct 2025
- Study completion20 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Forward Head PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sahmyook University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kim jeong eun, Sahmyook University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06850077
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SYU 2025-01-017-003
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: all collected IPD
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Prefrontal Hemodynamic Responses and Balance Control Differences Based on Head Posture and Task Difficulty in Cognitive-Balance Tasks
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06850077
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SYU 2025-01-017-003
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture, Normal Head Posture
- Keywords
- forward head posture, dual task, prefrontal cortex, cognition
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sahmyook UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
- Recent studies have shown that individuals with forward head posture (FHP) experience not only impaired balance control but also cognitive deficits.
- Using a balance-cognitive dual-task paradigm, this study aims to explore the relationship between balance ability and Prefrontal cortex(PFC) oxygenation levels(△HbO2) in individuals with FHP compared to those with normal head posture(NHP).
- By analyzing differences in frontal lobe activation based on task difficulty, this study is expected to provide practical data for designing balance training and cognitive-motor intervention programs tailored to individuals with FHP.
Detailed description
- This study is a cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the differences in balance ability between individuals with forward head posture (FHP) and those with normal head posture (NHP), as well as the differences in frontal lobe oxygenation levels during a balance-cognitive dual task.
Study participants will be assigned to receive two groups: (a) Forward head posture (b) Normal head posture. Each group will perform three balance tasks while simultaneously completing three cognitive tasks. To determine the differences, the primary outcome will assess prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic response, and the secondary outcome will assess balance ability.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Forward head posture group | – | Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual taskThe experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities. During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed. |
| Normal head posture group | – | Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual taskThe experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities. During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 39 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Participants will be recruited from Samyook University(Seoul, South Korea) or local communities in Daegu or Seoul, South Korea. Recruitment will primarily target individuals who regularly engage in academic or sedentary activities. The study population will consist of individuals classified based on postural characteristics, specifically Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP), assessed using craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurements. Recruitment will take place through campus advertisements, online postings, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Healthy adults aged 20 to 39 years
- Classified as having Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP) based on Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) measurement
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Individuals with a history of spinal or musculoskeletal trauma or surgery
- Individuals who have reported recent neck or shoulder pain
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive-Balance dual taskThe cognitive-balance dual task consists of three levels of difficulty and is performed simultaneously. The cognitive tasks include the N-back test, while the balance tasks consist of static balance tasks. | Behavioural | Forward head posture group, Normal head posture group |
Primary outcome
The degree of hemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex (PFC)
Time frame: From enrollment to 2 days
Hemodynamic response changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) will be assessed by measuring variations in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The study will compare HbO concentration changes between the control and experimental groups during cognitive-balance task performance.
1 secondary outcome
Balance performance
Time frame: From enrollment to 2 days
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. all collected IPD
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Forward Head Posture and Normal Head Posture, run by Sahmyook University at 1 site in South Korea.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in South Korea. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The degree of hemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) (time frame: From enrollment to 2 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jan 2026.