Effects of Gaze Stabalization Exercises and Optokinetic Training in Peripheral Vestibular Disorders

NCT07583901 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FUI/FUCP/CTR/Neuro1/AqsaKhalil
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study compares the effectiveness of Gaze Stabilization Exercises and Optokinetic Training in improving dizziness, balance, and confidence in individuals with peripheral vestibular disorders.

Conditions

Nystagmus; Optokinetic Nystagmus

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Dizziness

  It will be measured by using Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Score Interpretation: 0-30: Slight or Mild Handicap 31-60: Moderate Handicap 61-100: Severe Handicap

  6 weeks

• Postural Stability

  It will be measured by using Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Interpretation: ≤19 = increased fall risk 20-24 = safe ambulation Higher scores = better gait performance and dynamic balance Lower scores = impaired gait and higher fall risk

  6 weeks

• Balance Confidence

  It will be measured by using Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Interpretation: \<50% = low level of physical functioning and high fall risk 50-80% = moderate level of functioning80% = high level of functioning and confidence Higher scores = greater balance confidence Lower scores = fear of falling and reduced functional independence

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Gaze Stabilization Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Purpose: Enhance gaze stability, postural control, and confidence in functional activities. Description: Week 1: Sitting, VOR x1 horizontal, fixate on near target - start gaze stability. Week 2: Sitting, VOR x1 vertical, near/far target - increase head speed. Week 3: Standing, VOR x1 horizontal, fixate on target - improve upright balance. Week 4: Standing, VOR x1 with busy background - challenge visual-vestibular interaction. Week 5: Standing, VOR x2 horizontal/vertical - advanced gaze stabilization. Week 6: Standing, VOR x2 with busy background - integrate dynamic visual input.

Procedure: Gaze stabilization exercises

Optokinetic Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Purpose: Reduce visually induced dizziness, enhance balance, and improve confidence in daily activities. Description: Week 1: Horizontal stripes Week 2: Vertical motion Week 3: Real-world videos Week 4: Crowded/busy scenes Week 5: Moving environment + light movement Week 6: Provocative videos (spirals/crowded)

Procedure: Optokinetic training

Interventions

Gaze stabilization exercises PROCEDURE

The control group received gaze stabilization exercises for 6 weeks, comprising 18 supervised sessions conducted three times weekly. Training included VOR x1 and VOR x2 exercises in horizontal and vertical planes using near and far visual targets. Exercises progressed from sitting to standing positions and from simple to visually busy backgrounds. Each session also included balance training activities such as weight shifts, tandem stance, pivot turns, and walking with head movements, with rest periods provided as needed.

Gaze Stabilization Exercises

Optokinetic training PROCEDURE

The experimental group underwent optokinetic training for 6 weeks with 18 supervised sessions conducted three times weekly. Participants were exposed to progressively challenging moving visual stimuli, including distortion patterns, busy street scenes, motorway driving videos, and chequerboard jiggle/wrap patterns. Training advanced from sitting to standing with dynamic movements as visual complexity increased. Baseline and task-specific balance exercises were incorporated into every session, with adequate rest periods provided when necessary.

Optokinetic Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female patients aged 35-55 years
• Complaining of dizziness for at least three months
• Reporting at least one dizziness episode per month
• Medical diagnosis of chronic peripheral vestibular disease
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Medical history or signs of central nervous system disorders and/or psychiatric disorders
• Uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes
• Incapacity to understand and follow simple verbal commands
• Inability to independently remain in standing position
• Severe visual impairment or visual impairment not compensated by corrective lenses
• Orthopedic disorders resulting in movement limitation or use of lower-limb prostheses
• Previous body balance rehabilitation in the last six months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy

Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Nystagmus, Pathologic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ocular Motility Disorders; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Eye Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Gaze stabilization exercises (GSE): GSE improve the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) by requiring patients to maintain visual focus on a target during active head movements. Optokinetic Training: Optokinetic stimulation (OKS) uses moving visual patterns to reduce visual dependency and improve the integration of vestibular and proprioceptive inputs for better postural control.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: May 13, 2026
• Study Start: November 18, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

PA (1)