Concussion Post SyndromeNCT07717528
Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation on Gait, Balance, and Coordination in Post Concussion Combat Athletes
A study testing Vestibular Rehabilitation Program and Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation in people with Concussion Post Syndrome and Concussion, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in improving gait and balance among post-concussion combat athletes aged 18-25 years. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Concussion Post Syndrome, Concussion
- What is being tested?
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Program and Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- Jul 2026to 30 May 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
- Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.
- Age 18-30 years.
- Combat sport athletes (e.g, boxing, MMA, karate) with at least 2 years of training experience.
- Experiencing post-concussion symptoms affecting gait, balance, or coordination
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Participants fall in this category would be excluded of the study.
- History of moderate to severe TBI or repeated concussions (>3 cantu scale)
- Preexisting vestibular or neurological disorders unrelated to concussion (e.g., Meniere's disease, multiple sclerosis).
- Current musculoskeletal injuries affecting gait or balance.
- Visual or auditory impairments that interfere with assessments.
- Use of medications that influence balance or coordination (e.g., sedatives, muscle relaxants).
- Unwillingness or inability to participate in the full duration of the rehabilitation protocol.
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
Peshawar Sports Complex
Peshawar, Kpk, 25000
Zobia Naseem, Ms SPT, 03321963584, zobia.naeem@riphah.edu.pk
Nigah e Zahra Syed, MS SPT*
About this study
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in improving gait and balance among post-concussion combat athletes aged 18-25 years. Eligible participants diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms will be randomly assigned to either a vestibular rehabilitation group or a control group receiving conventional rehabilitation. Gait performance, balance, post-concussion symptom severity, and concussion severity will be assessed using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6), and Cantu Concussion Grading Scale. Outcome measures will be evaluated at baseline and after the 8-week intervention to determine the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in enhancing functional recovery following concussion.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of vestibular rehabilitation on gait and balance in post-concussion combat athletes. Combat sport athletes, including those participating in boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), taekwondo, judo, and similar disciplines, are at a heightened risk of sustaining concussions due to repetitive head impacts, rapid directional changes, and falls inherent to their sports. Although most athletes recover within a few weeks, a substantial proportion continue to experience persistent vestibular symptoms such as dizziness, postural instability, impaired gait, and balance deficits, which may adversely affect athletic performance, delay return to sport, and increase the risk of recurrent injury.
Despite growing evidence supporting vestibular rehabilitation in the general post-concussion population, there remains a paucity of sport-specific research focusing on combat athletes, whose functional demands and rehabilitation requirements differ considerably from those of non-athletic populations.
This study will recruit combat athletes aged 18-25 years with at least two years of training experience who have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury within the previous six months and continue to exhibit post-concussion symptoms affecting gait and balance. Eligible participants who have been medically cleared by a physician or neurologist will undergo baseline assessments using the Cantu Concussion Grading Scale and the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6), followed by standardized evaluations of gait and balance.
Participants will then be randomly allocated to either the vestibular rehabilitation group or the control group. The intervention group will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program designed to improve vestibulo-ocular function, gaze stabilization, postural control, and balance, while the control group will receive conventional rehabilitation. Outcome measures will be reassessed at Week 8 using the same standardized assessment procedures to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
It is hypothesized that vestibular rehabilitation will result in significant improvements in gait performance, balance, and post-concussion symptom severity among post-concussion combat athletes.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence for the development of targeted, sport-specific rehabilitation protocols, facilitate safer and more efficient return-to-play decisions, reduce the risk of recurrent injury, and contribute to the advancement of concussion management strategies in sports physiotherapy and neurorehabilitation.
- Conditions
- Concussion Post Syndrome, Concussion
- Being tested
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Program, Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- Post-Concussion Syndrome, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Combat Athletes, Sports-Related Concussion, Balance, SCOAT6
- Medical subject headings
- Post-Concussion Syndrome, Brain Concussion
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vestibular Rehabilitation ProgramOther
Participants will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program consisting of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance retraining, postural control exercises, and gait training. The intervention will be supervised by a physiotherapist and delivered over 8 weeks according to the study protocol.
Conventional Post-Concussion RehabilitationOther
Participants will receive conventional post-concussion rehabilitation consisting of education regarding symptom management, symptom-limited activity, graded aerobic exercise, strengthening and conditioning exercises, sport-specific training, and a staged return-to-play progression over 8 weeks. Targeted vestibular rehabilitation exercises will not be included.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Vestibular Rehabilitation Group | Experimental | Participants assigned to this group will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program for 8 weeks designed to improve post-concussion vestibular dysfunction. The program includes vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance retraining, postural control exercises, and gait training delivered under the supervision of a physiotherapist in accordance with the study protocol. Receives: Other: Vestibular Rehabilitation Program |
| Conventional Rehabilitation Group | Active comparator | Participants assigned to this group will receive conventional post-concussion rehabilitation for 8 weeks, consisting of standard clinical management, education regarding symptom management, symptom-limited activity, graded aerobic exercise, strengthening and conditioning exercises, sport-specific training, and a staged return-to-play progression. Targeted vestibular rehabilitation exercises will not be provided. Receives: Other: Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Gait Performance Assessed Using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test
Change in gait performance measured by the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test. The outcome will be reported as the average time (seconds) required to complete the test. Lower completion time indicates better gait performance.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)
Balance Performance Assessed Using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)
Change in balance performance measured using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). The outcome will be reported as the total number of balance errors during standardized balance tasks. Lower scores indicate better balance performance.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Post-Concussion Symptom Severity Assessed Using the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6) Symptom Scale
Change in post-concussion symptom severity measured using the symptom scale component of the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6). The symptom scale includes 22 symptoms, each rated from 0 (none) to 6 (severe), resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 132. Higher scores indicate greater post-concussion symptom severity.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)
Concussion Severity Classification Assessed Using the Cantu Concussion Grading Scale
Concussion severity will be assessed using the Cantu Concussion Grading Scale, which classifies concussion into Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate), and Grade 3 (severe). The scale ranges from Grade 1 to Grade 3, with higher grades indicating greater concussion severity. Participants will be assessed at baseline for study characterization and eligibility.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Jul 2026
- Study startJul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 May 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Concussion Post SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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 in a 1:1 ratio to either the vestibular rehabilitation group or the control group. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Zobia Naseem, PhD, Study chair, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07717528
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Nigah e Zahra Syed
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation on Gait, Balance, and Coordination in Post Concussion Combat Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07717528
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Nigah e Zahra Syed
- Conditions
- Concussion Post Syndrome, Concussion
- Keywords
- Post-Concussion Syndrome, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Combat Athletes, Sports-Related Concussion, Balance, SCOAT6
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Jul 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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in improving gait and balance among post-concussion combat athletes aged 18-25 years. Eligible participants diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms will be randomly assigned to either a vestibular rehabilitation group or a control group receiving conventional rehabilitation. Gait performance, balance, post-concussion symptom severity, and concussion severity will be assessed using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6), and Cantu Concussion Grading Scale. Outcome measures will be evaluated at baseline and after the 8-week intervention to determine the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in enhancing functional recovery following concussion.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of vestibular rehabilitation on gait and balance in post-concussion combat athletes. Combat sport athletes, including those participating in boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), taekwondo, judo, and similar disciplines, are at a heightened risk of sustaining concussions due to repetitive head impacts, rapid directional changes, and falls inherent to their sports. Although most athletes recover within a few weeks, a substantial proportion continue to experience persistent vestibular symptoms such as dizziness, postural instability, impaired gait, and balance deficits, which may adversely affect athletic performance, delay return to sport, and increase the risk of recurrent injury.
Despite growing evidence supporting vestibular rehabilitation in the general post-concussion population, there remains a paucity of sport-specific research focusing on combat athletes, whose functional demands and rehabilitation requirements differ considerably from those of non-athletic populations.
This study will recruit combat athletes aged 18-25 years with at least two years of training experience who have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury within the previous six months and continue to exhibit post-concussion symptoms affecting gait and balance. Eligible participants who have been medically cleared by a physician or neurologist will undergo baseline assessments using the Cantu Concussion Grading Scale and the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6), followed by standardized evaluations of gait and balance.
Participants will then be randomly allocated to either the vestibular rehabilitation group or the control group. The intervention group will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program designed to improve vestibulo-ocular function, gaze stabilization, postural control, and balance, while the control group will receive conventional rehabilitation. Outcome measures will be reassessed at Week 8 using the same standardized assessment procedures to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
It is hypothesized that vestibular rehabilitation will result in significant improvements in gait performance, balance, and post-concussion symptom severity among post-concussion combat athletes.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence for the development of targeted, sport-specific rehabilitation protocols, facilitate safer and more efficient return-to-play decisions, reduce the risk of recurrent injury, and contribute to the advancement of concussion management strategies in sports physiotherapy and neurorehabilitation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the vestibular rehabilitation group or the control group. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Vestibular Rehabilitation Group | Experimental | Other: Vestibular Rehabilitation ProgramParticipants assigned to this group will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program for 8 weeks designed to improve post-concussion vestibular dysfunction. The program includes vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance retraining, postural control exercises, and gait training delivered under the supervision of a physiotherapist in accordance with the study protocol. |
| Conventional Rehabilitation Group | Active comparator | Other: Conventional Post-Concussion RehabilitationParticipants assigned to this group will receive conventional post-concussion rehabilitation for 8 weeks, consisting of standard clinical management, education regarding symptom management, symptom-limited activity, graded aerobic exercise, strengthening and conditioning exercises, sport-specific training, and a staged return-to-play progression. Targeted vestibular rehabilitation exercises will not be provided. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.
- Age 18-30 years.
- Combat sport athletes (e.g, boxing, MMA, karate) with at least 2 years of training experience.
- Experiencing post-concussion symptoms affecting gait, balance, or coordination
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Participants fall in this category would be excluded of the study.
- History of moderate to severe TBI or repeated concussions (>3 cantu scale)
- Preexisting vestibular or neurological disorders unrelated to concussion (e.g., Meniere's disease, multiple sclerosis).
- Current musculoskeletal injuries affecting gait or balance.
- Visual or auditory impairments that interfere with 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vestibular Rehabilitation ProgramParticipants will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program consisting of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance retraining, postural control exercises, and gait training. The intervention will be supervised by a physiotherapist and delivered over 8 weeks according to the study protocol. | Other | Vestibular Rehabilitation Group |
| Conventional Post-Concussion RehabilitationParticipants will receive conventional post-concussion rehabilitation consisting of education regarding symptom management, symptom-limited activity, graded aerobic exercise, strengthening and conditioning exercises, sport-specific training, and a staged return-to-play progression over 8 weeks. Targeted vestibular rehabilitation exercises will not be included. | Other | Conventional Rehabilitation Group |
Primary outcome
Gait Performance Assessed Using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)
Change in gait performance measured by the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test. The outcome will be reported as the average time (seconds) required to complete the test. Lower completion time indicates better gait performance.
Balance Performance Assessed Using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)
Change in balance performance measured using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). The outcome will be reported as the total number of balance errors during standardized balance tasks. Lower scores indicate better balance performance.
2 secondary outcomes
Post-Concussion Symptom Severity Assessed Using the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6) Symptom Scale
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)
Concussion Severity Classification Assessed Using the Cantu Concussion Grading Scale
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Zobia Naseem, PhD study chair
Riphah International 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 Vestibular Rehabilitation Program and Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation in people with Concussion Post Syndrome and Concussion, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 5 inclusion and 7 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Jul 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 Pakistan. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Zobia Naseem, Phd (03321963584, zobia.naeem@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Gait Performance Assessed Using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test (time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 21 Jul 2026.