Comparison of Prefrontal Hemodynamic Responses and Balance Control Differences Based on Head Posture and Task Difficulty in Cognitive-Balance Tasks

NCT06850077 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SYU 2025-01-017-003
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

• Recent studies have shown that individuals with forward head posture (FHP) experience not only impaired balance control but also cognitive deficits.
• Using a balance-cognitive dual-task paradigm, this study aims to explore the relationship between balance ability and Prefrontal cortex(PFC) oxygenation levels(△HbO2) in individuals with FHP compared to those with normal head posture(NHP).
• By analyzing differences in frontal lobe activation based on task difficulty, this study is expected to provide practical data for designing balance training and cognitive-motor intervention programs tailored to individuals with FHP.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture; Normal Head Posture

Keywords

forward head posture; dual task; prefrontal cortex; cognition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The degree of hemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex (PFC)

  Hemodynamic response changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) will be assessed by measuring variations in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The study will compare HbO concentration changes between the control and experimental groups during cognitive-balance task performance.

  From enrollment to 2 days

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Balance performance

  From enrollment to 2 days

Study Arms (2)

Forward head posture group

The experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities. During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed.

Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task

Normal head posture group

The experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities. During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed.

Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task

Interventions

Cognitive-Balance dual task BEHAVIORAL

The cognitive-balance dual task consists of three levels of difficulty and is performed simultaneously. The cognitive tasks include the N-back test, while the balance tasks consist of static balance tasks.

Forward head posture group; Normal head posture group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 39 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be recruited from Samyook University(Seoul, South Korea) or local communities in Daegu or Seoul, South Korea. Recruitment will primarily target individuals who regularly engage in academic or sedentary activities. The study population will consist of individuals classified based on postural characteristics, specifically Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP), assessed using craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurements. Recruitment will take place through campus advertisements, online postings, and word-of-mouth referrals.

You may qualify if:

• Healthy adults aged 20 to 39 years
• Classified as having Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP) based on Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) measurement

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with a history of spinal or musculoskeletal trauma or surgery
• Individuals who have reported recent neck or shoulder pain

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sahmyook University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sahmyook university

Seoul, 노원구, 01759, South Korea

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator (PI)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2025
• First Posted: February 27, 2025
• Study Start: April 27, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 20, 2025
• Study Completion: October 20, 2025
• Last Updated: January 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Beginning 3 months and ending 3 years after the publication of results

Locations

KR (1)