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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07616596

Gaze Stabilization vs Oculomotor Exercises on Cybersickness in Computer Users

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.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Cybersickness Ear Diseases Labyrinth Diseases Motion Sickness Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Vestibular Diseases

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

About this study

This is a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Participants (n=46) will be recruited from The University of Faisalabad. Inclusion criteria include screen time >6 hours/day, computer usage for at least 10 years, and a Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) score between 20 and 40.

Group A (Intervention): Gaze Stabilization Exercises. Week 1: View X1 exercises. Week 2: View X2 exercises. Week 3: Gaze shift exercises. Week 4: Imaginary Target exercises. (3 sessions/week, 1 minute per exercise, 3 times each).

Group B (Active Comparator): Oculomotor Exercises. Week 1: Range exercises. Week 2: Saccadic exercises. Week 3: Pursuit exercises. Week 4: Vergence exercises. (3 sessions/week, 1 minute per exercise, 3 times each).

Outcomes: The primary outcome is the change in Dynamic Visual Acuity (LogMAR scale) and Cybersickness (SSQ score). The secondary outcome is Quality of Life (SF-36 questionnaire). Measurements will be taken at baseline, Week 2, and Week 4. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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)

Treatment and study plan

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.

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Function

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 4

    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.

  2. Change in Cybersickness Severity

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 4

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4

    Measured by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Contains 36 items measuring 8 domains: Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, Mental Health. Scores transformed to 0-100 scale per domain. Higher score = better quality of life.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Faisalabad

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Gaze Stabilization Exercises Versus Oculomotor Exercises on Cybersickness in Computer Users: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Acronym: GAZE-CS

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 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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