Effects of Oculomotor Exercises in Patients With Non Traumatic Cervical Dizziness

NCT07790874 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/25/0128
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

To investigate the effects of oculomotor exercises on pain disability, dizziness and gaze stability in patients with non-traumatic cervical dizziness.

Conditions

Cervical; Dizziness; Disability; Pain

Keywords

cervical dizziness; Oculomotor Exercises; Gaze Stability; Non Traumatic

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Rating Scale of Gaze Stability

  Assesses gaze stability during head movements in sitting. It consists of three ratings: 0 indicates stable gaze, 1 indicates slightly irregular gaze stability, and 2 indicates repeatedly unstable gaze.

  4 weeks

• Neck Disability index

  It comprises of 10 items; 7 related to daily living activities, 2 related to pain and 1 related to concentration. Each item is scored from 0 to 5. Total score is expressed as a percentage, with higher scores related to greater disability. It has high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.978)

  4 weeks

• Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire

  A 25-item questionnaire assessing the functional, emotional, and physical effects of dizziness. Each item is scored as 0, 2, or 4, with a total score ranging from 0-100. Lower scores indicate less disability.

  4th week

• Universal Goniometer

  A commonly used instrument for measuring cervical range of motion. It demonstrates high test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability.

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides and Oculomotor Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in Group A received moist heating pad, isometric exercises, Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides, and oculomotor exercises including saccadic eye movements, smooth pursuit training, gaze stabilization, and head-eye coordination exercises.

Other: Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides and Oculomotor exercises

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in Group B received standard physiotherapy, consisting of moist heating pad, isometric exercises, and Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides

Other: Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides

Interventions

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides and Oculomotor exercises OTHER

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides: The patient sat upright and actively moved the head in the direction that provoked dizziness. The therapist applied a sustained anterior glide to the targeted C1 or C2 vertebra during the movement. The technique was performed initially for 3 repetitions and progressed to 6 repetitions, with gentle overpressure added as tolerated. Oculomotor Exercises: The intervention included saccadic eye movements, smooth pursuit training, gaze stabilization, and head-eye coordination exercises. These exercises were performed with the head and/or eyes moving in controlled directions to improve gaze stability, eye-head coordination, and sensorimotor control.

Also known as: SNAGs

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides and Oculomotor Exercises

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides OTHER

he patient sat upright and actively moved the head in the direction that provoked dizziness. The therapist applied a sustained anterior glide to the targeted C1 or C2 vertebra during the movement. The technique was performed initially for 3 repetitions and progressed to 6 repetitions, with gentle overpressure added as tolerated.

Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both Males and Females
• Age between 20 and 40 years with nontraumatic cervical dizziness.
• Patients experiencing symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness for at least 3 months (chronic cervicogenic dizziness)
• Patients having a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score greater than or equal to 3
• Patient with positive Flexion Rotation Test (FRT)
• Cervical Torsion Test
• Patients have never received oculomotor exercises and SNAGS before.

You may not qualify if:

• History of trauma or recent surgery to the head, face, neck, or chest.
• Diagnosis of central vertigo (e.g., brainstem or cerebellar pathology).
• Presence of vestibular-origin vertigo, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
• Triage (Patients with traumatic cervical spine injury, Cervical arterial dysfunction and central vestibular disorders
• Inability to perform exercises (e.g., due to cervical fracture)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Independent Hospital

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 38000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dizziness; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Saba Rafiq, PhD

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, PhD

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The assessor was blind to the treatment groups to guarantee accuracy and minimize bias.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2026
• First Posted: August 27, 2026
• Study Start: August 11, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 16, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 10, 2026
• Last Updated: August 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)