An interventional study of Home-Based Balance Exercise Program and Myofascial Release Therapy in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, sponsored by Karabuk University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-21.
Sponsored by Karabuk University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This completed, two-arm randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of therapist-administered myofascial release added to a progressive home-based balance exercise program in individuals diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Forty participants were randomized into a home exercise group and a myofascial therapy group. Both groups followed the same six-week exercise program; the intervention group additionally received myofascial release twice weekly. Thirty-two participants completed the six-week assessment. Static balance, posture, cervical range of motion, muscle strength, and muscle activation were assessed before and after the intervention. The trial is being registered retrospectively after completion of data collection.
The study compared a six-week progressive home-based exercise program with the same program supplemented by myofascial release therapy in adults with clinically confirmed BPPV. Individuals were diagnosed by an otorhinolaryngology specialist using the Dix-Hallpike or supine Roll test, screened for eligibility and asked to provide written informed consent. Randomization was performed using random.org.
Both arms initially received instruction in exercises targeting postural balance. Movements were supervised at the first encounter, after which the weekly progression was distributed as illustrated photographs through WhatsApp. Exercises were prescribed three times per week for six weeks. In the myofascial therapy arm, a trained physiotherapist additionally delivered four techniques (single arm pull, lateral neck-shoulder, thoracic transverse-plane and anterior cervical techniques) twice a week, totaling 12 sessions. Prone techniques were avoided because some BPPV patients might experience dizziness in this position.
Assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of Week 6. Outcomes included static postural sway and stability measured using the Bertec Balance Legacy System, postural alignment measured using PostureScreenMobile, cervical range of motion measured by goniometry, cervical and scapular strength measured with a handheld dynamometer, and sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscle activity measured by surface electromyography. The thesis also reports the Dynamic Gait Index, Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, dizziness intensity, and cervical pain assessments.
This record describes a completed study originally conducted for a doctoral thesis; registration is retrospective. The date of submission to ClinicalTrials.gov is not the historical date on which participants were first enrolled.
75 studies on the registry are indexed under Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; 15 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 75 across 61 interventional studies indexed under Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.
Browse Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo studies →Karabuk University is the lead sponsor of 132 studies on the registry; 31 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Progressive home-based balance exercise program, three days per week for six weeks, with initial supervised instruction and weekly illustrated exercise schedules provided by WhatsApp.
Behavioral: Home-Based Balance Exercise Program
Identical six-week home exercise program plus physiotherapist-administered myofascial release twice weekly for six weeks (12 sessions).
Behavioral: Home-Based Balance Exercise Program · Other: Myofascial Release Therapy
Six-week graded postural balance and vestibular exercise program prescribed three days per week. Exercises were initially practiced under supervision and then performed at home; weekly programs were delivered electronically.
Manual myofascial release by a trained physiotherapist involving the single arm pull, lateral neck-shoulder, thoracic transverse-plane and anterior cervical techniques; delivered twice weekly for six weeks (12 sessions).
Change in Postural Sway
Changes in anteroposterior and mediolateral postural sway measured using the Bertec Balance Legacy System under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions on firm and foam surfaces.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Limits of Stability
Anterior, posterior, right, left, and total limits of stability obtained from the Bertec Balance Legacy System.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Postural Alignment
PostureScreenMobile-derived anterior cervical tilt, shoulder alignment, and other posture measures; displacements reported in centimeters.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Cervical Range of Motion
Active and passive cervical flexion/extension, lateral flexion and rotation assessed with a universal goniometer in degrees.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Cervical and Scapular Muscle Strength
Cervical flexor/extensor and upper/middle/lower trapezius isometric force measured by dynamometry in newtons.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Cervical Muscle Activation by sEMG
Right and left sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius surface electromyography; root mean square activity in microvolts, analyzed during a 5-second maximum voluntary contraction.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Dynamic Gait Index Score
Eight walking and functional gait activities, total score 0-24; higher scores indicate better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form Score
15-item symptom questionnaire with item responses from 0 to 4, including vestibular and anxiety-related symptom dimensions.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Dizziness Handicap Inventory Score
25-item questionnaire with a total score of 0-100; higher scores indicate greater dizziness-related handicap.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Dizziness Severity
Participant-reported dizziness intensity measured using a 0-10 visual analogue scale.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in Neck Pain Severity
Participant-reported neck pain intensity measured using a 0-10 visual analogue scale when pain is present.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Sep 2021 to primary completion in May 2023, 20 months.
Of 34 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, half reached primary completion within 16 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 37. This study's 20 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 35 studies reached it within 16 months; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 37.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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 completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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