Comparison of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and Cognitive Functions in E-Athletes and Non-Athletes

NCT07211191 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: IMU-EC-855-2021Istanbul Medipol University
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare cognitive functions and functional vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) between e-athletes and non-athletes. Participants aged 17-27 years will complete the Stroop Test, Corsi Block-Tapping Test, and Functional Head Impulse Test (F-HIT) during a single baseline session. Cognitive measures will include attention, response inhibition, and visuospatial memory, while F-HIT will assess dynamic gaze stability. The study uses a cross-sectional design to explore potential differences between groups. Findings are expected to provide preliminary evidence on whether competitive gaming is associated with cognitive advantages or vestibular adaptations.

Conditions

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex; Esports Participation; Cognitive Functioning

Keywords

Esports; E-Athletes; Stroop Test; Corsi Block-Tapping Test; Functional Head Impulse Test (F-HIT); Dynamic Visual Acuity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Stroop Test Part V Completion Time (seconds)

  Completion time on Stroop Part V and errors on Part IV/V, indexing selective attention and inhibition. Participants are shown color-word stimuli and must name ink colors as quickly and accurately as possible.

  Day 1 (Baseline, during a single test session)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Stroop Test Part IV Errors (number of incorrect responses)

  Day 1 (Baseline, during a single test session).

• Stroop Test Part IV Corrections (number of corrected errors)

  Day 1 (Baseline, during a single test session).

• Corsi Block-Tapping Test - Forward Span (maximum sequence length)

  Day 1 (Baseline, during a single test session).

• Corsi Block-Tapping Test - Backward Span (maximum sequence length)

  Day 1 (Baseline, during a single test session).

• Functional Head Impulse Test (F-HIT) Percent Correct Answers (%CA)

  Day 1 (Baseline, during a single test session).

Study Arms (2)

E-Athletes

Healthy volunteers aged 17-27 years with at least 4 years of competitive esports experience and a minimum of 20 hours per week of training. All had normal or corrected-to-normal vision, normal Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and no neurological or psychiatric disorders or neck movement limitations. Participants were adaptable to cognitive and vestibular testing.

Non-Athlete Controls

Healthy volunteers aged 17-27 years with no prior competitive esports or organized sports training. All had normal or corrected-to-normal vision, normal Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and no neurological or psychiatric disorders or neck movement limitations. Participants were adaptable to cognitive and vestibular testing.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 27 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy young adults (17-27 years), including 18 esports athletes and 18 age-matched non-athlete controls, recruited from a university esports center and surrounding community.

You may qualify if:

• Age between 17 and 27 years
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score within normal limits
• No neurological or psychiatric disorder
• No neck movement restriction
• Ability to adapt to cognitive and vestibular tests
• For e-athlete group: ≥4 years of esports experience and ≥20 hours per week of training
• For control group: No prior competitive esports or organized sports training

You may not qualify if:

• Hearing loss or tinnitus affecting functional performance
• History of dizziness within the last 3 months
• Active or diagnosed migraine with vestibular involvement
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• History of head trauma
• Systemic or neurological diseases affecting cognitive or vestibular function
• Visual impairments not corrected with glasses or lenses

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yusa Basoglu: lead
• Istanbul Medipol University Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Medipol University

Istanbul, BEYKOZ, 34810, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Olcek G, Basoglu Y, Basoglu I, Tomac S. Comparison of functional vestibulo-ocular reflex and cognitive functions in e-athletes and non-athletes. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jan 27. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01546-7. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41593662 DERIVED

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Audiology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 22, 2025
• First Posted: October 7, 2025
• Study Start: May 27, 2021
• Primary Completion: June 6, 2021
• Study Completion: September 23, 2021
• Last Updated: October 7, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

TU (1)