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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07483892

Effects of Cervical Sensorimotor Training With Pilates Reformer on Balance and Cervical Joint Position Sense

This study investigates the effects of Pilates reformer exercise combined with cervical sensorimotor training using laser-guided visual feedback on balance performance. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a combined training group, a Pilates-only group, and a control group. Static and dynamic balance were assessed before and after the intervention.

This study was registered retrospectively on ClinicalTrials.gov after participant enrollment had begun. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained prior to participant enrollment.

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Key information

Conditions

Focus of Study is Effects of Neuromuscular Training Pilates Postural Balance

Age range

30 year–49 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ewha Womans University

Seoul, 03760, South Korea

About this study

Postural control is maintained through the integration of sensory information from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. Among these systems, cervical proprioception plays a critical role in providing information about head position and movement, which contributes to the regulation of balance and postural stability. Alterations or deficits in cervical proprioceptive input may negatively influence sensorimotor control and balance performance.

Laser-guided visual feedback training has been used to enhance cervical joint position sense and improve sensorimotor control by providing real-time visual information about head and neck movements. This method allows individuals to actively adjust head position based on visual feedback, thereby facilitating proprioceptive retraining.

The reformer exercise method is a form of resistance-based exercise that emphasizes controlled movements, core stabilization, and neuromuscular coordination. Integrating cervical proprioceptive training with reformer exercise may further enhance postural control by promoting coordinated activation of trunk and neck musculature.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a reformer exercise program incorporating cervical proprioceptive training using laser-guided visual feedback on balance ability. Pilates Reformer-based exercises combined with cervical proprioceptive training tasks were proceeded. Balance performance and proprioception were evaluated using static and dynamic balance measures and cervical joint position error before and after the intervention.

The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the potential benefits of integrating laser-guided visual feedback-based cervical proprioceptive training into exercise programs aimed at improving balance and postural stability.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female adults aged 30-49 years
  • Individuals who use a computer for ≥6 hours per day
  • Individuals who have experienced musculoskeletal pain and discomfort (neck, shoulder, or lower back) within the past year
  • Individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study
  • Individuals able to participate in exercise training

Exclusion criteria

  • History of musculoskeletal or neurological surgery within the past 6 months
  • Individuals diagnosed with severe fractures or neurological disorders requiring surgical treatment
  • Any severe condition affecting balance or gait

Treatment and study plan

Cervical Sensorimotor Training

Behavioral

Laser-guided cervical sensorimotor training designed to improve cervical joint position sense. Training included head repositioning tasks with visual feedback under progressively challenging postural conditions involving different base-of-support and surface stability levels.

Other names: laser-guided visual-vestibular-cervical sensorimotor training

Pilates Reformer Exercise

Behavioral

Pilates Reformer-based exercise focusing on trunk stabilization, postural alignment, controlled balance using spring-based resistance and different base-of-support.

Primary outcomes

  1. Title: Dynamic balance - COP medio-lateral excursion rate(COP ML Rate) during gait stance phase

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Dynamic postural control assessed as the COP medio-lateral rate during gait (COP medio-lateral distance (mm)/foot width (mm)x100); higher percentages indicate greater COP curvature, reflecting a more normal foot rollover pattern.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%)

  2. Dynamic balance - COP Sway Rate during gait stance phase

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Dynamic postural control assessed as COP Sway Rate during gait (Net Sway Length/COP Path Length × 100); values closer to 0% indicate better dynamic balance.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%)

  3. Dynamic balance - Y-Balance Test (YBT) composite score

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Dynamic balance assessed using Y-Balance Test score (% of limb length); higher values indicate better dynamic balance.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Title: Static balance - COP Sway Distance during quiet standing

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Static postural stability assessed as the distance of center of pressure (COP) sway during quiet standing; values closer to 0 mm indicate better static balance.

    Unit of Measure: millimeters (mm)

  2. Static balance - COP ellipse area during quiet standing

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Static postural stability assessed as the area of the COP sway ellipse during quiet standing, with smaller areas indicating better static balance.

    Unit of Measure: square millimeters (mm²)

  3. Cervical Joint Position Sense(CJPS) - Accuracy

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Cervical Joint Position Sense-Accuracy assessed using the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPET) as the mean absolute linear repositioning error over five repetitions to the left and five to the right; values closer to 0 cm indicate better cervical position sense.

    Unit of Measure: centimeters (cm)

  4. Cervical Joint Position Sense(CJPS) - Precision

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Cervical Joint Position Sense - Precision assessed using the CJPET as the standard deviation of linear repositioning error over five repetitions to the left and five to the right; values closer to 0 cm indicate better cervical position sense.

    Unit of Measure: centimeters (cm)

Other outcomes

  1. Static posture balance - plantar pressure distribution across foot quadrants

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Static posture balance assessed as plantar pressure distribution across four foot quadrants during quiet standing; values closer to 25% indicate better static posture balance.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%)

  2. Rearfoot alignment - resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP)

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Rearfoot alignment assessed using RCSP in degrees. An angle of 0° is ideal (normal range: -2° to +2°), with positive values indicating valgus and negative values indicating varus.

    Unit of Measure: degrees (°)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ewha Womans University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Cervical Sensorimotor Control Training Combined With Reformer Exercise on Static and Dynamic Balance and Cervical Joint Position Sense

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Mar 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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