The Effects of Weight Shift Training on the Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position in Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis

NCT07663721 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SYU 2026-04-026-003
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a common musculoskeletal condition in infancy that may result in asymmetrical posture and weight-bearing patterns, limited cervical range of motion, and delayed motor development. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of weight shift training on upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry in infants with CMT. A total of 30 infants aged 6 to 12 months diagnosed with CMT will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group(n = 15) or a control group(n = 15). The experimental group will receive weight shift training in prone and sitting positions in addition to stretching exercises, while the control group will receive stretching exercises only. Both groups will participate in 30-minute intervention sessions three times per week for eight weeks. The primary outcome is upper extremity weight-bearing symmetry, which will be assessed using the Balancia software system. Secondary outcomes include motor development assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale(AIMS), head tilt angle, and passive cervical rotation range of motion. The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of weight shift training in improving postural symmetry and motor function in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.

Conditions

Congenital Muscular Torticollis

Keywords

Congenital Muscular Torticollis; Weight Shift Training; Upper Extremity Weight Bearing Symmetry; Postural Control; Alberta Infant Motor Scale; Head Tilt; Cervical Range of Motion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Symmetry of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing in the Prone Position

  Symmetry of Upper extremity weight bearing in the prone position will be assessed using the Balancia software system. Weight bearing distribution between the left and right upper extremities will be measured.

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Head tilt

  Baseline and Week 8

• Cervical rotation passive range of motion

  Baseline and Week 8

• Motor Development Assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Weight Shift Training + Stretching

EXPERIMENTAL

Experimental groups will receive weight shift training in prone and sitting positions in addition to stretching exercises. The intervention will be provided for 30 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks.

Other: Weight Shift Training; Other: Stretching Exercise

Stretching Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Control groups will receive stretching exercises only. The intervention will be provided for 30 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks.

Other: Stretching Exercise

Interventions

Weight Shift Training OTHER

Weight shift training will be performed in prone and sitting positions to facilitate symmetrical weight bearing and postural control in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.

Weight Shift Training + Stretching

Stretching Exercise OTHER

Stretching exercises will be performed to improve head tilt and cervical range of motion in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.

Stretching Only; Weight Shift Training + Stretching

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Months - 12 Months
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis by a physician
• Head tilt angle of 15 degrees or greater and limitation of passive cervical rotation range of motion
• Able to independently maintain the prone position and demonstrate asymmetrical upper extremity weight bearing

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed with non-muscular torticollis, including postural torticollis or ocular torticollis
• Presence of congenital cervical spine abnormalities or neurological complications
• Any medical condition that may interfere with participation in the intervention or outcome assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sahmyook University: lead

Study Sites (1)

EZ Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic

Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16943, South Korea

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Congenital torticollis

Interventions

Muscle Stretching Exercises

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• junyeong Heo, PT

  Sahmyook University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

junyeong Heo, PT

CONTACT

+82-10-4206-3290; hamstering99@naver.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2026
• First Posted: June 23, 2026
• Study Start: June 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

KR (1)