NystagmusNCT07587528
Effects of Cervical and Oculomotor Exercises in Young Adults With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
A study testing Occulomotor exercises and Cervical Exercises in people with Nystagmus and Dizziness, run by Foundation University Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of dizziness disorder in the community.Its cardinal symptoms include vertigo which is induced by change in position of head, turning over in bed, looking up, lying down in bed or any sudden change in the position of head. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- What is being tested?
- Occulomotor exercises and Cervical Exercises
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 56 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 20 Feb 2026to 1 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosed Patients of Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)
- Age between 18-35 years
- Male \& Female Patients
- Positive Dix-Hall pike Test
- Normal Cognitive Function: Able to follow instructions and provide informed consent.
- Normal or Corrected-to-normal Vision
- DHI Scale: Moderate (0-100)
Who cannot join
- Patients with visual impairment
- Pregnancy
- Patients with a history of severe heart disease
- Patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- No other vestibular disorders or conditions that may affect balance
- Pre-Existing Neurological or Musculoskeletal Conditions
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
Islamabad, 44000
About this study
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of dizziness disorder in the community.Its cardinal symptoms include vertigo which is induced by change in position of head, turning over in bed, looking up, lying down in bed or any sudden change in the position of head. This study compares the effectiveness of occulomotor exercises alone and combined cervical and occulomotor exercises which take 6 weeks to implement and recruit results and each session lasting 10-20 minute Assessment will be performed at baseline.
Read the detailed description
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most prevalent peripheral vestibular disorder, significantly affecting patients' daily activities and quality of life. While vestibular maneuvers are widely used for treatment, evidence on the added benefits of combining these maneuvers with therapeutic exercises remains limited. This study aims to fill that gap by evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated approach, potentially enhancing symptom relief and supporting evidence-based clinical decisions. The combination may offer a more holistic strategy for managing BPPV, guiding healthcare professionals toward improved treatment protocols. Additionally, the research emphasizes a quick, accessible intervention suitable for clinical and emergency settings. By reducing dizziness more effectively, the study aspires to improve functional outcomes for patients. Overall, it highlights the value of innovative, combined therapies in vestibular care.
- Being tested
- Occulomotor exercises, Cervical Exercises
- Keywords
- Oculomotor Exercise, Dynamic Balance, Dynamic Leap and Balance Test, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Cervical Exercises
- Medical subject headings
- Nystagmus, Pathologic, Dizziness, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Occulomotor exercisesProcedure or surgery
Oculomotor exercises are used to treat BPPV and involve repeated head movements to habituate the brain to vertigo triggers.
Saccadic Eye Movement Exercises: Moving the eyes quickly between two stationary targets while keeping the head still.
Smooth Pursuit Exercises: Tracking a moving target with the eyes while keeping the head stationary.
Adaptation X1 Exercises: Moving the head horizontally while maintaining focus on a stationary target.
Adaptation X2 Exercises: Simultaneously moving the head and target in opposite directions horizontally, requiring the eyes to track the moving target.
Cervical ExercisesProcedure or surgery
Cervical exercise include Deep Neck flexor strengthening starts with the patient lie supine with knees bent.
Perform chin tuck and lift head ~2-3 cm off the surface. Hold for 5- 10 seconds. 10 repetitions, 2 sets daily.
DNF activate stabilizing neck muscles and reduce Cervicogenic Input \& provides quick, non-invasive relief from BPPV.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical exercises | Experimental | Week 1: DNF Strengthening (basic chin tuck) + Smooth Pursuit + Basic Saccades Week 2: DNF Progression (longer hold) + Saccadic Eye Movement + Smooth Pursuit Week 3: Adaptation X1 (with head movement) Week 4: DNF with Arm Movements + Adaptation X2 (slow head \& target) Week 5: Saccades with Head Movements Week 6: DNF Receives: Procedure: Cervical Exercises |
| Occulomotor exercises | Experimental | Week 1: Smooth Pursuit + Basic Saccades Week 2: Saccadic Eye Movement + Adaptation X1 (slow speed) Week 3: Adaptation X1 (moderate speed) + Smooth Pursuit (increased range) Week 4: Adaptation X2 (slow) + Complex Saccades (with distractions) Week 5: Adaptation X2 (faster) + Smooth Pursuit (large range) Week 6: All Oculomotor Exercises in Circuit (Saccades + Pursuit + X1 + X2) Receives: Procedure: Occulomotor exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Nystagmus
Dynamic leap and balance test
Moderate Impairment:
Noticeable instability, excessive sway, needs extra steps to regain balance, and slower performance.
Severe Impairment:
Unable to maintain balance after landing, requires assistance, or is unable to complete the task safely.
Measured: 6 weeks
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Dix-Hall pike Test (DHT) is considered the gold standard assessment for the diagnosis of the vestibular disorder benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
The patient starts in a sitting position and their head is turned 45° towards the side to be tested. The assessor then assists them to lie down quickly and extends their neck 20° over the end of the plinth, maintaining 45° rotation. The assessor should be able to see the patient's eyes and should observe for nystagmus. A positive response is elicited if rotational nystagmus is noted. The nystagmus will have a delayed onset of approximately 1-2 seconds following movement and it should subside after 10-20 seconds
Measured: 6 weeks
Dizziiness
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a widely used tool to assess the impact of dizziness on an individual's daily life.The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater impact of dizziness.
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 May 2026
- Study start20 Feb 2026
- Primary completion25 Apr 2026
- Study completion1 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for NystagmusStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Foundation University IslamabadThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Foundation University Islamabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07587528
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FUI/FUCP/CTR/Neuro/Anosha
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 8 May 2026
- Last updated
- 14 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Cervical and Oculomotor Exercises in Young Adults With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07587528
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FUI/FUCP/CTR/Neuro/Anosha
- Keywords
- Oculomotor Exercise, Dynamic Balance, Dynamic Leap and Balance Test, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Cervical Exercises
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Foundation University IslamabadUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of dizziness disorder in the community.Its cardinal symptoms include vertigo which is induced by change in position of head, turning over in bed, looking up, lying down in bed or any sudden change in the position of head. This study compares the effectiveness of occulomotor exercises alone and combined cervical and occulomotor exercises which take 6 weeks to implement and recruit results and each session lasting 10-20 minute Assessment will be performed at baseline.
Detailed description
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most prevalent peripheral vestibular disorder, significantly affecting patients' daily activities and quality of life. While vestibular maneuvers are widely used for treatment, evidence on the added benefits of combining these maneuvers with therapeutic exercises remains limited. This study aims to fill that gap by evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated approach, potentially enhancing symptom relief and supporting evidence-based clinical decisions. The combination may offer a more holistic strategy for managing BPPV, guiding healthcare professionals toward improved treatment protocols. Additionally, the research emphasizes a quick, accessible intervention suitable for clinical and emergency settings. By reducing dizziness more effectively, the study aspires to improve functional outcomes for patients. Overall, it highlights the value of innovative, combined therapies in vestibular care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical exercises | Experimental | Procedure: Cervical ExercisesWeek 1: DNF Strengthening (basic chin tuck) + Smooth Pursuit + Basic Saccades Week 2: DNF Progression (longer hold) + Saccadic Eye Movement + Smooth Pursuit Week 3: Adaptation X1 (with head movement) Week 4: DNF with Arm Movements + Adaptation X2 (slow head \& target) Week 5: Saccades with Head Movements Week 6: DNF |
| Occulomotor exercises | Experimental | Procedure: Occulomotor exercisesWeek 1: Smooth Pursuit + Basic Saccades Week 2: Saccadic Eye Movement + Adaptation X1 (slow speed) Week 3: Adaptation X1 (moderate speed) + Smooth Pursuit (increased range) Week 4: Adaptation X2 (slow) + Complex Saccades (with distractions) Week 5: Adaptation X2 (faster) + Smooth Pursuit (large range) Week 6: All Oculomotor Exercises in Circuit (Saccades + Pursuit + X1 + X2) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Diagnosed Patients of Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)
- Age between 18-35 years
- Male \& Female Patients
- Positive Dix-Hall pike Test
- Normal Cognitive Function: Able to follow instructions and provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Patients with visual impairment
- Pregnancy
- Patients with a history of severe heart disease
- Patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- No other vestibular disorders or conditions that may affect balance
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Occulomotor exercisesOculomotor exercises are used to treat BPPV and involve repeated head movements to habituate the brain to vertigo triggers. Saccadic Eye Movement Exercises: Moving the eyes quickly between two stationary targets while keeping the head still. Smooth Pursuit Exercises: Tracking a moving target with the eyes while keeping the head stationary. Adaptation X1 Exercises: Moving the head horizontally while maintaining focus on a stationary target. Adaptation X2 Exercises: Simultaneously moving the head and target in opposite directions horizontally, requiring the eyes to track the moving target. | Procedure or surgery | Occulomotor exercises |
| Cervical ExercisesCervical exercise include Deep Neck flexor strengthening starts with the patient lie supine with knees bent. Perform chin tuck and lift head ~2-3 cm off the surface. Hold for 5- 10 seconds. 10 repetitions, 2 sets daily. DNF activate stabilizing neck muscles and reduce Cervicogenic Input \& provides quick, non-invasive relief from BPPV. | Procedure or surgery | Cervical exercises |
Primary outcome
Nystagmus
Time frame: 6 weeks
Dynamic leap and balance test Moderate Impairment: Noticeable instability, excessive sway, needs extra steps to regain balance, and slower performance. Severe Impairment: Unable to maintain balance after landing, requires assistance, or is unable to complete the task safely.
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Time frame: 6 weeks
Dix-Hall pike Test (DHT) is considered the gold standard assessment for the diagnosis of the vestibular disorder benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The patient starts in a sitting position and their head is turned 45° towards the side to be tested. The assessor then assists them to lie down quickly and extends their neck 20° over the end of the plinth, maintaining 45° rotation. The assessor should be able to see the patient's eyes and should observe for nystagmus. A positive response is elicited if rotational nystagmus is noted. The nystagmus will have a delayed onset of approximately 1-2 seconds following movement and it should subside after 10-20 seconds
Dizziiness
Time frame: 6 weeks
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a widely used tool to assess the impact of dizziness on an individual's daily life.The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater impact of dizziness.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 May 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Occulomotor exercises and Cervical Exercises in people with Nystagmus and Dizziness, run by Foundation University Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Nystagmus (time frame: 6 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 May 2026.