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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07193537

Virtual Reality Exercises Versus Motor Control Training in Symptomatic Forward Head Posture

This study will be conducted to Compare between virtual reality exercises versus motor control training on cervical proprioception in symptomatic forward head posture

Completed

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Key information

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Shimaa Nabil

Cairo, 11829, Egypt

About this study

Various occupations require people to maintain a static position for long periods that causes continuous contractions of the head and neck muscle.The poor posture leads to pain and deformity such as forward head posture.Virtual reality exercises(VRE) have been more commonly considered for the improvement of pain , functional ability, and muscular strength.Motor control training (MCT) re-establish the activation pattern of neck muscles and have proven to be effective in improving motor function of deep cervical muscles, reducing discomfort and impairment in patient with FHP and neck pain. 93 subjects from both sexes will participate in the study with CVA less than 50º.Group A:31 subjects will receive virtual reality exercises by VR Training using Xbox Kinect

.Group B: 31 subjects will receive motor control training Group C: 31 subjects will receive conventional treatment in form of (Posture correction (chin tuck exercise)and Stretching exercises .

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Ninety three subjects from both sexes will participate in the study with CVA less than 50º.
  • Subject's age ranged from 18-30 years old, with Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 30Kg/m2. .
  • Subjects having neck pain more than 6 weeks .
  • Neck disability index (NDI) value less than 24 (mild to moderate disability scores on NDI)

Exclusion criteria

1-Individuals with a recent history of neck or back surgery. 2- Individuals with recent history of trauma or fracture. 3- Individuals with congenital disorders 4- Individuals with any psychiatric diseases

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Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality Exercises

Other

Thirty one subjects will receive virtual reality exercises by VR Training using Xbox Kinect. The Kinect sensor is an infrared camera that can recognize the positions and motions of the player without the need for special controller. The console controls the various games .For the VR training, the Xbox Kinect, console, and monitor will set up in a dedicated space. The patient will placed 1.5-2 m away from the Kinect sensor. Before the start of the training session, the research assistant adjusted the position of the sensor while the patient is sitting to ensure optimal position and motion capture, and loaded games into the system. After the setup is completed, the research assistant demonstrated games included in the Kinect adventure

motor control training

Other

Thirty one subjects will receive motor control training two times a week for eight weeks in form of deep cervical flexors strengthening using pressure biofeedback unit (craniocervical flexor exercise) :Pressure biofeedback unit will be used to perform Cranio-cervical flexor muscle training. Through which an endurance and isometric exercise for DNFs in progressive range positions will be performed each session, the PBU's air bag will be positioned below the occiput, and the inflatable cuff pressure sensor will be inflated to a baseline of 20 mmHg. Participants will instruct to target five pressure levels between 22 and 30 mmHg by nodding. scapular exercises .With patient in prone position, pillow under the chest and upper limb in varying degree of shoulder abduction, the participant lifts the hand toward the ceiling while retracting the scapula

conventional treatment

Other

Thirty one subjects will receive conventional treatment for 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Conventional treatment will include the following:

1-Posture correction (chin tuck exercise) Stand with the upper back against the wall, with the feet shoulder-width apart. Tuck the chin in and hold for 5 seconds 10 repetitions .Return to the starting position and repeat a number of times. This can help stretch the muscles in the upper neck 2. Stretching exercise: Self-stretching exercise for most common tight muscles. These muscles include upper trapezius (by contralateral side bending), levator scapulae (flexion, contralateral side bending and rotation) and sternocleidomastoid muscle (slight flexion with ipsilateral side bending and rotation). Each position should be maintained for 30 seconds and repeated for 3 times.

Primary outcomes

  1. cervical propioception

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Cervical proprioception will be assessed using CROM .

  2. Craniovertebral angle (CVA)

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Photogrammetric method will be used to assess CVA

Secondary outcomes

  1. pain intensity

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity

  2. Neck function

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Arabic version of neck disability index will be used to assess neck function

  3. Deep neck flexors endurance

    Time frame: up to four weeks

    Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU, Chattanooga, TN, USA) will be used to assess endurance

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Virtual Reality Exercises Versus Motor Control Training on Cervical Proprioception in Symptomatic Forward Head Posture

Acronym: VRexercises

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 26, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 22, 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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