An observational study in Torticollis (Arthrogenic), sponsored by Balgrist University Hospital. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 3 Months to 8 Months. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-08.
Sponsored by Balgrist University Hospital · Observational
Babies with torticollis (a tilted or twisted neck) have difficulty turning their head fully to the side. Small movement sensors = Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) can be used to measure how far they can turn their head. In an earlier study, these measurements were carried out by a trained professional. We now want to find out whether parents can do the measurements themselves at home and whether this works well in everyday practice.
Your child will wear a baby hat with a small movement sensor (IMU, approximately, 10 g) and a soft chest strap with a second sensor during the first appointment (with a member of the study team). The measurements will take place at home on 5 consecutive days.
Procedure: On the first day of measurement, a member of the study team will be present. They will explain exactly how the measurements should be carried out. You will also receive written instructions (Standard Operating Procedure). On the following four days, you will carry out the measurements yourself. You will encourage your child to turn their head using a rattle. This will take approximately 7-10 minutes. If you are unsure about anything or have any questions, the study team will be available by phone or online.
Duration: Five consecutive days. On day 5, you will complete a short questionnaire about how easy the instructions were to understand, how well the movement sensors were accepted, how the measurements went, and the amount of effort involved.
Time and effort required: 1 appointment with a member of the study team at your home (approximately 30-45 minutes) + 4 measurements carried out by yourself (approximately 7-10 minutes each) and, additionally, a questionnaire on day 5 (approximately 5 minutes).
Benefits: Your child will not benefit directly from taking part in the study. In the future, the study may help to provide children with arthrogenic torticollis with a more accurate diagnosis and better monitoring of their treatment through improved measurement methods.
Risks and burden: The risk is very low (Category A). The movement sensor is attached to a baby hat and does not come into direct contact with the skin. Your child will turn their head actively, and the movement will not be forced from the outside. If your child shows any signs of discomfort or resistance, the measurement can be stopped.
139 studies on the registry are indexed under Torticollis; 21 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 10 is below the median of 50 across 44 observational studies indexed under Torticollis.
Browse Torticollis studies →Balgrist University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 80 studies on the registry; 14 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The study population includes infants aged 3 to 8 months with arthrogenic torticollis (AT) or suspected dysfunction of the upper cervical spine who have been referred for chiropractic treatment.
Exclusion Criteria:
Infants aged 3 to 8 months with arthrogenic torticollis (AT) or suspected dysfunction of the upper cervical spine who have been referred for chiropractic treatment. The study includes infants of both biological sexes. Inclusion criteria: Age between 3 and 8 months at the time of the measurements Referral for chiropractic treatment with suspected AT or suspected dysfunction of the upper cervical spine Written informed consent signed by the parents after they have received sufficient information about the study Exclusion criteria: Previous surgery or injury to the cervical spine Other systemic health conditions, e.g. cerebral palsy Developmental delay of the infant Insufficient German language skills of the parents to understand the informed consent form and to carry out the measure Excessive distress or resistance by the infant, such as crying, screaming, or similar reactions
Other: Mobilisation of the upper cervical spine (but the effectiveness of the investigation is not part of the study evaluation)
Mobilisation of the upper cervical spine (C1/C2).
1) Data completeness 2) Recruitment rate and dropout 3) Graph quality 4) Parent questionnaire 5) Time and logistical effort required by the study team
Data completeness: ≥80% of measurements successfully recorded, i.e. at least 4 out of 5 measurements per infant. Measured based on the number of successfully saved IMU datasets per participant. Recruitment rate and dropout rate Graph quality: Visual inspection by two persons based on the following criteria: initial line, continuous measurement line, unphysiological peaks, and clearly identifiable rotational movement. Target: ≥80% rated as good. Parent questionnaire using a Likert scale: Comprehensibility of the SOP: ≥80% rated as "good/very good"; feasibility: ≥80% rated as "easy/very easy"; acceptance of the IMUs by the child: ≥80% rated as "good/very good." Time and logistical effort required by the study team: Documented and considered feasible if no delays occur.
Time frame: From enrollment to end of data collection = 5 days
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Balgrist University Hospital