Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation on Gait, Balance, and Coordination in Post Concussion Combat Athletes

NCT07717528 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Nigah e Zahra Syed
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in improving gait and balance among post-concussion combat athletes aged 18-25 years. Eligible participants diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms will be randomly assigned to either a vestibular rehabilitation group or a control group receiving conventional rehabilitation. Gait performance, balance, post-concussion symptom severity, and concussion severity will be assessed using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6), and Cantu Concussion Grading Scale. Outcome measures will be evaluated at baseline and after the 8-week intervention to determine the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in enhancing functional recovery following concussion.

Conditions

Concussion; Concussion Post Syndrome

Keywords

Post-Concussion Syndrome; Vestibular Rehabilitation; Combat Athletes; Sports-Related Concussion; Balance; SCOAT6

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Gait Performance Assessed Using the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test

  Change in gait performance measured by the Timed Tandem Gait (TTG) Test. The outcome will be reported as the average time (seconds) required to complete the test. Lower completion time indicates better gait performance.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)

• Balance Performance Assessed Using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)

  Change in balance performance measured using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). The outcome will be reported as the total number of balance errors during standardized balance tasks. Lower scores indicate better balance performance.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Post-Concussion Symptom Severity Assessed Using the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6) Symptom Scale

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)

• Concussion Severity Classification Assessed Using the Cantu Concussion Grading Scale

  Baseline (Week 0)

Study Arms (2)

Vestibular Rehabilitation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program for 8 weeks designed to improve post-concussion vestibular dysfunction. The program includes vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance retraining, postural control exercises, and gait training delivered under the supervision of a physiotherapist in accordance with the study protocol.

Other: Vestibular Rehabilitation Program

Conventional Rehabilitation Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this group will receive conventional post-concussion rehabilitation for 8 weeks, consisting of standard clinical management, education regarding symptom management, symptom-limited activity, graded aerobic exercise, strengthening and conditioning exercises, sport-specific training, and a staged return-to-play progression. Targeted vestibular rehabilitation exercises will not be provided.

Other: Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation

Interventions

Vestibular Rehabilitation Program OTHER

Participants will receive a structured vestibular rehabilitation program consisting of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance retraining, postural control exercises, and gait training. The intervention will be supervised by a physiotherapist and delivered over 8 weeks according to the study protocol.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Group

Conventional Post-Concussion Rehabilitation OTHER

Participants will receive conventional post-concussion rehabilitation consisting of education regarding symptom management, symptom-limited activity, graded aerobic exercise, strengthening and conditioning exercises, sport-specific training, and a staged return-to-play progression over 8 weeks. Targeted vestibular rehabilitation exercises will not be included.

Conventional Rehabilitation Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants falling in this category would be recruited into the study.
• Age 18-30 years.
• Combat sport athletes (e.g, boxing, MMA, karate) with at least 2 years of training experience.
• Experiencing post-concussion symptoms affecting gait, balance, or coordination
• Willing and able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Participants fall in this category would be excluded of the study.
• History of moderate to severe TBI or repeated concussions (\>3 cantu scale)
• Preexisting vestibular or neurological disorders unrelated to concussion (e.g., Meniere's disease, multiple sclerosis).
• Current musculoskeletal injuries affecting gait or balance.
• Visual or auditory impairments that interfere with assessments.
• Use of medications that influence balance or coordination (e.g., sedatives, muscle relaxants).
• Unwillingness or inability to participate in the full duration of the rehabilitation protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Peshawar Sports Complex

Peshawar, Kpk, 25000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Post-Concussion Syndrome; Brain Concussion

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Head Injuries, Closed; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Wounds, Nonpenetrating; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Brain Injuries; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Zobia Naseem, PhD

  Riphah International University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Zobia Naseem, Phd

CONTACT

03321963584; zobia.naeem@riphah.edu.pk

Imran Amjad, Phd

CONTACT

03324390125; mailto:imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the vestibular rehabilitation group or the control group. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2026
• First Posted: July 21, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2027
• Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)