Congenital Muscular TorticollisNCT07663721
The Effects of Weight Shift Training on the Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position in Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis
A study testing Weight Shift Training and Stretching Exercise in people with Congenital Muscular Torticollis, run by Sahmyook University at 1 site in South Korea.
Trial summary
Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a common musculoskeletal condition in infancy that may result in asymmetrical posture and weight-bearing patterns, limited cervical range of motion, and delayed motor development. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 12 months
- Conditions the study is for
- Congenital Muscular Torticollis
- What is being tested?
- Weight Shift Training and Stretching Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSouth Korea
- Study dates
- 30 Jun 2026to 1 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 6 to 12 months
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis by a physician
- Head tilt angle of 15 degrees or greater and limitation of passive cervical rotation range of motion
- Able to independently maintain the prone position and demonstrate asymmetrical upper extremity weight bearing
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed with non-muscular torticollis, including postural torticollis or ocular torticollis
- Presence of congenital cervical spine abnormalities or neurological complications
- Any medical condition that may interfere with participation in the intervention or outcome assessments
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
South Korea1 site
EZ Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic
Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16943
About this study
Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a common musculoskeletal condition in infancy that may result in asymmetrical posture and weight-bearing patterns, limited cervical range of motion, and delayed motor development. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of weight shift training on upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry in infants with CMT.
A total of 30 infants aged 6 to 12 months diagnosed with CMT will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group(n = 15) or a control group(n = 15). The experimental group will receive weight shift training in prone and sitting positions in addition to stretching exercises, while the control group will receive stretching exercises only. Both groups will participate in 30-minute intervention sessions three times per week for eight weeks.
The primary outcome is upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry, which will be assessed using the Balancia software system. Secondary outcomes include motor development assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale(AIMS), head tilt angle, and passive cervical rotation range of motion. The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of weight shift training in improving postural symmetry and motor function in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.
Read the detailed description
Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by unilateral shortening or tightness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, resulting in head tilt, limited cervical range of motion, and postural asymmetry. Infants with CMT frequently demonstrate asymmetrical weight bearing patterns.
Early physical therapy interventions, including stretching exercises, are widely used to improve cervical mobility and reduce postural asymmetry. However, interventions specifically targeting symmetrical weight bearing and postural control may provide additional benefits by promoting more symmetrical development in functional activities.
Weight shift training encourages active transfer of body weight while maintaining postural stability. Improved weight bearing symmetry may contribute to more efficient motor development and functional movement patterns in infants with CMT.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of weight shift training to conventional stretching exercises improves upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry, motor development, head posture, and cervical mobility in infants with congenital muscular torticollis. The findings of this study may provide evidence for the clinical effectiveness of incorporating weight shift training into rehabilitation programs for infants with CMT.
- Conditions
- Congenital Muscular Torticollis
- Being tested
- Weight Shift Training, Stretching Exercise
- Keywords
- Congenital Muscular Torticollis, Weight Shift Training, Upper Extremity Weight Bearing Symmetry, Postural Control, Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Head Tilt, Cervical Range of Motion
- Medical subject headings
- Congenital torticollis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Weight Shift TrainingOther
Weight shift training will be performed in prone and sitting positions to facilitate symmetrical weight bearing and postural control in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.
Stretching ExerciseOther
Stretching exercises will be performed to improve head tilt and cervical range of motion in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Shift Training + Stretching | Experimental | Experimental groups will receive weight shift training in prone and sitting positions in addition to stretching exercises. The intervention will be provided for 30 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks. Receives: Other: Weight Shift Training; Other: Stretching Exercise |
| Stretching Only | Active comparator | Control groups will receive stretching exercises only. The intervention will be provided for 30 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks. Receives: Other: Stretching Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position
Symmetry of Upper extremity weight bearing in the prone position will be assessed using the Balancia software system. Weight bearing distribution between the left and right upper extremities will be measured.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Secondary outcomes (3)
Head tilt
Head tilt will be measured to evaluate postural asymmetry associated with congenital muscular torticollis.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Cervical rotation passive range of motion
Cervical rotation passive range of motion will be measured using standard clinical assessment procedures.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Motor Development Assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale
Motor development will be assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale is an observational measure of infant motor development with scores ranging from 0 to 58, where higher scores indicate better motor development.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jun 2026
- Study start30 Jun 2026
- Primary completion30 Sep 2026
- Study completion1 Oct 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Congenital Muscular TorticollisStudies 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sahmyook University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, heo junyeong, Sahmyook University
- Investigators
- junyeong Heo, PT, Principal investigator, Sahmyook University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07663721
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SYU 2026-04-026-003
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be made publicly available to protect participant confidentiality.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Weight Shift Training on the Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position in Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07663721
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SYU 2026-04-026-003
- Conditions
- Congenital Muscular Torticollis
- Keywords
- Congenital Muscular Torticollis, Weight Shift Training, Upper Extremity Weight Bearing Symmetry, Postural Control, Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Head Tilt, Cervical Range of Motion
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sahmyook UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Jun 2026 (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.
Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a common musculoskeletal condition in infancy that may result in asymmetrical posture and weight-bearing patterns, limited cervical range of motion, and delayed motor development. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of weight shift training on upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry in infants with CMT.
A total of 30 infants aged 6 to 12 months diagnosed with CMT will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group(n = 15) or a control group(n = 15). The experimental group will receive weight shift training in prone and sitting positions in addition to stretching exercises, while the control group will receive stretching exercises only. Both groups will participate in 30-minute intervention sessions three times per week for eight weeks.
The primary outcome is upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry, which will be assessed using the Balancia software system. Secondary outcomes include motor development assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale(AIMS), head tilt angle, and passive cervical rotation range of motion. The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of weight shift training in improving postural symmetry and motor function in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.
Detailed description
Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by unilateral shortening or tightness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, resulting in head tilt, limited cervical range of motion, and postural asymmetry. Infants with CMT frequently demonstrate asymmetrical weight bearing patterns.
Early physical therapy interventions, including stretching exercises, are widely used to improve cervical mobility and reduce postural asymmetry. However, interventions specifically targeting symmetrical weight bearing and postural control may provide additional benefits by promoting more symmetrical development in functional activities.
Weight shift training encourages active transfer of body weight while maintaining postural stability. Improved weight bearing symmetry may contribute to more efficient motor development and functional movement patterns in infants with CMT.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of weight shift training to conventional stretching exercises improves upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry, motor development, head posture, and cervical mobility in infants with congenital muscular torticollis. The findings of this study may provide evidence for the clinical effectiveness of incorporating weight shift training into rehabilitation programs for infants with CMT.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Shift Training + Stretching | Experimental | Other: Weight Shift Training, Other: Stretching ExerciseExperimental groups will receive weight shift training in prone and sitting positions in addition to stretching exercises. The intervention will be provided for 30 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks. |
| Stretching Only | Active comparator | Other: Stretching ExerciseControl groups will receive stretching exercises only. The intervention will be provided for 30 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 months
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis by a physician
- Head tilt angle of 15 degrees or greater and limitation of passive cervical rotation range of motion
- Able to independently maintain the prone position and demonstrate asymmetrical upper extremity weight bearing
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosed with non-muscular torticollis, including postural torticollis or ocular torticollis
- Presence of congenital cervical spine abnormalities or neurological complications
- Any medical condition that may interfere with participation in the intervention or outcome assessments
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Shift TrainingWeight shift training will be performed in prone and sitting positions to facilitate symmetrical weight bearing and postural control in infants with congenital muscular torticollis. | Other | Weight Shift Training + Stretching |
| Stretching ExerciseStretching exercises will be performed to improve head tilt and cervical range of motion in infants with congenital muscular torticollis. | Other | Stretching Only, Weight Shift Training + Stretching |
Primary outcome
Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Symmetry of Upper extremity weight bearing in the prone position will be assessed using the Balancia software system. Weight bearing distribution between the left and right upper extremities will be measured.
3 secondary outcomes
Head tilt
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Cervical rotation passive range of motion
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Motor Development Assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
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 16 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be made publicly available to protect participant confidentiality.
Related trials for Congenital Muscular Torticollis
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Comparison of the Effectiveness of Face to Face Rehabilitation and Telerehabilitation in Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Infant, Torticollis Congenital
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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.
junyeong Heo, PT principal investigator
Sahmyook University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Weight Shift Training and Stretching Exercise in people with Congenital Muscular Torticollis, 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 3 inclusion and 3 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 16 Oct 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?
Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position (time frame: Baseline and Week 8). 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 16 Oct 2026.