Gaze Stabilization vs Oculomotor Exercises on Cybersickness in Computer Users

NCT07616596 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TUF/EIRB/ 211 /26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Many people who use computers for long hours experience "cybersickness" (dizziness, nausea, blurred vision) because their eyes see movement on the screen but their body feels still. This study aims to see which type of eye and head exercises works best to fix this. We will compare Gaze Stabilization Exercises (head movements) against Oculomotor Exercises (eye movements). Forty-six computer users will perform these exercises for 4 weeks. We will measure their dizziness, vision, and quality of life before, during, and after the treatment.

Conditions

Cybersickness; Motion Sickness; Vestibular Diseases

Keywords

Gaze Stabilization Exercises; Oculomotor Exercises; Computer Users; Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex; Dynamic Visual Acuity; Physical Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Function

  Measured by Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) test using a LogMAR chart. Patient reads smallest line possible while head is stationary (static VA). Then patient rotates head horizontally at 2Hz while reading. Number of lines lost between static and dynamic conditions is recorded. Normal VOR: 1-2 lines lost. Abnormal: 4-6 lines lost. Higher lines lost = worse VOR function.

  Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 4

• Change in Cybersickness Severity

  Measured by the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Contains 16 symptoms rated 0-3 (0=not at all, 3=severe). Total score range 0-48. Subscales: Nausea (symptoms 1,2,6,7,8,9,14,15), Oculomotor (3,4,5,10,11,12,13), and Disorientation (5,10,11,12,13,14,15). Higher score = worse cybersickness.

  Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Quality of Life

  Baseline (Week 0), Week 4

Study Arms (2)

Gaze Stabilization Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive Gaze Stabilization Exercises (GSE) for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The protocol includes View X1, View X2, Gaze Shift, and Imaginary Target exercises. Each exercise is performed for 1 minute, repeated 3 times per session. Exercises target the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) by coordinating head and eye movements to reduce sensory conflict.

Behavioral: Gaze Stabilization Exercises

Oculomotor Exercises Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive Oculomotor Exercises for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The protocol includes Range, Saccadic, Pursuit, and Vergence exercises. Each exercise is performed for 1 minute, repeated 3 times per session. Exercises target isolated eye movements without head motion to improve oculomotor control and reduce visual strain.

Behavioral: Oculomotor Exercises

Interventions

Gaze Stabilization Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Week 1 - View X1: Patient sits upright. Target held at eye level 1 meter away. Patient turns head horizontally (left/right) or vertically (up/down) while keeping eyes fixed on target. Speed: slow (1Hz). Duration: 1 minute. Repetitions: 3 times per direction. Week 2 - View X2: Same as View X1 but head movement speed increased to 2Hz. Week 3 - Gaze Shift: Two targets placed 30 cm apart horizontally or vertically. Patient rotates head to face Target 1, then shifts gaze to Target 2 while continuing head rotation toward Target 2. Duration: 1 minute. Repetitions: 3 times. Week 4 - Imaginary Target: Patient fixates on a target (e.g., a sticker on wall). Closes eyes. Rotates head 30-45 degrees away from target. While eyes closed, patient imagines still looking at target. Opens eyes and checks if fixation is accurate. Duration: 1 minute. Repetitions: 3 times per direction. All exercises are performed under supervision for the first 3 sessions, then home-based with weekly follow-up calls.

Gaze Stabilization Exercises

Oculomotor Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Week 1 - Range Oculomotor Exercises: Eyes closed. Patient moves eyes slowly in horizontal (left-right), vertical (up-down), diagonal (top-left to bottom-right), and rotational (clockwise/counterclockwise) directions. Duration: 1 minute per direction. Repetitions: 3 times. Week 2 - Saccadic Exercises: Two stationary targets (e.g., two fingers) held 30 cm apart at eye level. Patient rapidly shifts gaze between targets without moving head. Duration: 1 minute. Repetitions: 3 times. Week 3 - Pursuit Exercises: A single target (e.g., pen) is moved slowly horizontally and vertically. Patient follows target smoothly with eyes only (head still). Speed: approx 20 degrees/second. Duration: 1 minute per direction. Repetitions: 3 times. Week 4 - Vergence Exercises: Target (e.g., pen) starts at 50 cm from patient's nose. Patient focuses on target as it is slowly moved toward nose to 5 cm (convergence), then back to 50 cm (divergence). Duration: 1 minute. Repetitions: 3 times under supervision.

Oculomotor Exercises Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Screen time \> 6 hours per day
• Computer usage history of at least 10 years
• Complaints of vertigo, blurred vision, and nausea during computer usage
• Positive Romberg's test
• Abnormal VOR (4-6 lines lost on LogMAR scale)
• SSQ score between 20 and 40

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed vestibular disorders (e.g., BPPV, Meniere's)
• History of falls in the past 6 months
• Pregnancy
• Any neurological or neurodegenerative disease
• Use of walking aids
• Severe visual impairments (worse than 6/12 on Snellen)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motion Sickness; Vestibular Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Labyrinth Diseases; Ear Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The assessor measuring DVA, SSQ, and SF-36 will not know group allocation. Participants and exercise providers cannot be blinded due to the nature of the exercises.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor/ Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 1, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 22, 2026
• Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)