Forward Head PostureNCT07484555
Postural Rehabilitation for Visual Dysfunction in Forward Head Posture
A study testing Sensor development training group and conventional posture training in people with Forward Head Posture, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Forward Head Posture
- What is being tested?
- Sensor development training group and conventional posture training
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 25 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 18-30 years Both genders BMI 17.5-27.99 CVA <50° Mild visual impairment log Mar 0.1-0.5
Who cannot join
- • 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Post-graduate research Lab, Riphah international university, gulberg greens campus, islamabad
Islamabad, Capital, 46000
Aisha Razzaq, PHD*, 03015030784, aisha.razzaq@riphah.edu.pk
Aisha Razzaq, PHD*
About this study
Official title: 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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture
- Being tested
- motor control training, Sensor development training group, conventional posture training
- Keywords
- Balance, posture, Motor control training, Muscle endurance, Sensors, Visual impairment
- Medical subject headings
- Vision Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
motor control trainingOther
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.
Sensor development training groupDevice
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.
conventional posture trainingOther
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| motor control training group | Experimental | 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. Receives: Other: motor control training |
| Sensor biofeedback training group | Experimental | Real time biofeedback training is being done through the sensor being applied to cervical spine during normal day activities. Receives: Device: Sensor development training group |
| conventional postural training | Experimental | this program consists on strengthening of deep cervical flexors and scapular retractors and stretching of cervical extensors and pectoralis major muscles Receives: Other: conventional posture training |
| control group | No intervention | postural education about proper ergonomics is being shared to the participants |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
visual impairment
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.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
oculomotor function
this will be measured by the near point convergence test. the point at which blurring stated by participant will be measured in cms.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
visual reaction time
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
Measured: baseline to 8th week
visual fatigue
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
Measured: baseline to 8th week
craniovertebral angle (CVA)
this will be measured by mobile app specified for said purpose. sideways picture will be taken and CVA will be noted from the app.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
Secondary outcomes (5)
flexor muscle endurance
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.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
extensor muscle endurance
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.
Measured: baseline to 8th weeks
pelvic tilt
the pelvic tilt will be measured by the pelvic inclinometer in degrees by place its both ends at anterior superior iliac spine.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
static balance
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.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
dynamic balance
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.
Measured: baseline to 8th week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2026
- Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Feb 2027 (estimated)
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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Qamar Mehmood, PHD, Principal investigator, Riphah internatioal university
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484555
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RiphahIU Aisha Razzaq
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No