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CompletedNCT07587528Updated May 14, 2026

Effects of Cervical and Oculomotor Exercises in Young Adults With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

An interventional study of Occulomotor exercises and Cervical Exercises in Nystagmus and Dizziness, sponsored by Foundation University Islamabad. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-14.

Sponsored by Foundation University Islamabad · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
56
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 35 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of dizziness disorder in the community.Its cardinal symptoms include vertigo which is induced by change in position of head, turning over in bed, looking up, lying down in bed or any sudden change in the position of head. This study compares the effectiveness of occulomotor exercises alone and combined cervical and occulomotor exercises which take 6 weeks to implement and recruit results and each session lasting 10-20 minute Assessment will be performed at baseline.

Read the detailed description

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most prevalent peripheral vestibular disorder, significantly affecting patients' daily activities and quality of life. While vestibular maneuvers are widely used for treatment, evidence on the added benefits of combining these maneuvers with therapeutic exercises remains limited. This study aims to fill that gap by evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated approach, potentially enhancing symptom relief and supporting evidence-based clinical decisions. The combination may offer a more holistic strategy for managing BPPV, guiding healthcare professionals toward improved treatment protocols. Additionally, the research emphasizes a quick, accessible intervention suitable for clinical and emergency settings. By reducing dizziness more effectively, the study aspires to improve functional outcomes for patients. Overall, it highlights the value of innovative, combined therapies in vestibular care.

02

Conditions studied

  • Nystagmus
  • Dizziness

Keywords

  • Oculomotor Exercise
  • Dynamic Balance
  • Dynamic Leap and Balance Test
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
  • Cervical Exercises
03

In context

Nystagmus, Pathologic

27 studies on the registry are indexed under Nystagmus, Pathologic; 3 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 56 is above the median of 48 across 17 interventional studies indexed under Nystagmus, Pathologic.

Browse Nystagmus, Pathologic studies →

Lead sponsor

Foundation University Islamabad is the lead sponsor of 255 studies on the registry; 142 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 35 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed Patients of Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)
  • Age between 18-35 years
  • Male \& Female Patients
  • Positive Dix-Hall pike Test
  • Normal Cognitive Function: Able to follow instructions and provide .
  • Normal or Corrected-to-normal Vision
  • DHI Scale: Moderate (0-100)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with visual impairment
  • Pregnancy
  • Patients with a history of severe heart disease
  • Patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
  • No other vestibular disorders or conditions that may affect balance
  • Pre-Existing Neurological or Musculoskeletal Conditions
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
56 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Cervical exercises

    Week 1: DNF Strengthening (basic chin tuck) + Smooth Pursuit + Basic Saccades Week 2: DNF Progression (longer hold) + Saccadic Eye Movement + Smooth Pursuit Week 3: Adaptation X1 (with head movement) Week 4: DNF with Arm Movements + Adaptation X2 (slow head \& target) Week 5: Saccades with Head Movements Week 6: DNF

    Procedure: Cervical Exercises

  • Experimental
    Occulomotor exercises

    Week 1: Smooth Pursuit + Basic Saccades Week 2: Saccadic Eye Movement + Adaptation X1 (slow speed) Week 3: Adaptation X1 (moderate speed) + Smooth Pursuit (increased range) Week 4: Adaptation X2 (slow) + Complex Saccades (with distractions) Week 5: Adaptation X2 (faster) + Smooth Pursuit (large range) Week 6: All Oculomotor Exercises in Circuit (Saccades + Pursuit + X1 + X2)

    Procedure: Occulomotor exercises

Interventions

  • ProcedureOcculomotor exercises

    Oculomotor exercises are used to treat BPPV and involve repeated head movements to habituate the brain to vertigo triggers. Saccadic Eye Movement Exercises: Moving the eyes quickly between two stationary targets while keeping the head still. Smooth Pursuit Exercises: Tracking a moving target with the eyes while keeping the head stationary. Adaptation X1 Exercises: Moving the head horizontally while maintaining focus on a stationary target. Adaptation X2 Exercises: Simultaneously moving the head and target in opposite directions horizontally, requiring the eyes to track the moving target.

  • ProcedureCervical Exercises

    Cervical exercise include Deep Neck flexor strengthening starts with the patient lie supine with knees bent. Perform chin tuck and lift head \~2-3 cm off the surface. Hold for 5- 10 seconds. 10 repetitions, 2 sets daily. DNF activate stabilizing neck muscles and reduce Cervicogenic Input \& provides quick, non-invasive relief from BPPV.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Nystagmus

    Dynamic leap and balance test Moderate Impairment: Noticeable instability, excessive sway, needs extra steps to regain balance, and slower performance. Severe Impairment: Unable to maintain balance after landing, requires assistance, or is unable to complete the task safely.

    Time frame: 6 weeks

  2. benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

    Dix-Hall pike Test (DHT) is considered the gold standard assessment for the diagnosis of the vestibular disorder benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The patient starts in a sitting position and their head is turned 45° towards the side to be tested. The assessor then assists them to lie down quickly and extends their neck 20° over the end of the plinth, maintaining 45° rotation. The assessor should be able to see the patient's eyes and should observe for nystagmus. A positive response is elicited if rotational nystagmus is noted. The nystagmus will have a delayed onset of approximately 1-2 seconds following movement and it should subside after 10-20 seconds

    Time frame: 6 weeks

  3. Dizziiness

    The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a widely used tool to assess the impact of dizziness on an individual's daily life.The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater impact of dizziness.

    Time frame: 6 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
    Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
08

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Feb 2026 to primary completion in Apr 2026, 2 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
May 8, 2026
First posted
May 14, 2026
StartActual
Feb 20, 2026
Primary completionActual
Apr 25, 2026
CompletionActual
May 1, 2026
Last update
May 14, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 14, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07587528
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 14, 2026
Start date
Feb 20, 2026
Primary completion
Apr 25, 2026
Completion
May 1, 2026
Last update
May 14, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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