Postural MalalignmentEMGNCT07854678
Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Exercise on EMG Activity in Postural Malalignment
A study testing Virtual reality exercise and Active free Exercise in people with Postural Malalignment and Forward Head Posture, run by Hofstra University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of virtual reality (VR)-based exercise compared with traditional Active free exercise on trapezius muscle activation in adults with and without postural malalignment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Postural Malalignment, Forward Head Posture, Rounded Shoulder Posture
- What is being tested?
- Virtual reality exercise and Active free Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Oct 2026to 25 Oct 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- participants will include healthy individuals or individuals with postural malalignment.
- Age 18-35 years
- Able to provide written informed consent
- Able to stand and perform light movement tasks safely
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- Sufficient intellectual ability to understand and follow instructions
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- Basic English proficiency to understand study instructions and questionnaires
- For symptomatic participants, presence of postural dysfunction at baseline, including one or more of the following:
- Forward head posture
- Rounded shoulder posture
Who cannot join
- - Epilepsy
- Severe balance disorders
- Major neurological or musculoskeletal conditions
- Recent injuries
- Use of medications affecting balance
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Influence of Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Exercise on Trapezius Muscle EMG Activity in Relaxed and Corrected Postures Among Individuals With and Without Postural Malalignment
This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of virtual reality (VR)-based exercise compared with traditional Active free exercise on trapezius muscle activation in adults with and without postural malalignment. Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscle activity during relaxed and corrected postures and during VR and traditional exercise. Demographic data will be collected. The study will also assess posture, trapezius muscle strength, cervical range of motion, Activity level, craniovertebral angle, and neck proprioception. Approximately 40 adults aged 18-35 years will participate in a single study session. The findings may help determine whether VR-based rehabilitation provides an effective and engaging approach for assessing and training postural control and trapezius muscle activation.
Read the detailed description
This study will investigate the immediate effects of virtual reality (VR)-based exercise compared with traditional exercise on trapezius muscle activation in adults with and without postural malalignment. The study will include approximately 40 adults aged 18-35 years. Participants will be classified according to the presence or absence of postural abnormalities and symptoms.
At baseline, demographic and clinical information will be collected, followed by assessment of forward head posture, rounded shoulder posture, trapezius muscle strength, cervical range of motion, Activity level, craniovertebral angle and joint position sense. Forward head posture will be assessed using the craniovertebral angle obtained through digital photogrammetry, while rounded shoulder posture will be evaluated using the acromion-to-table distance. Symptomatic participants will additionally complete the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI).
Surface electromyography (sEMG) will be used to record the activity of the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles. EMG activity will be assessed during relaxed and corrected standing postures and continuously during the exercise conditions. EMG data will be normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and expressed as a percentage of MVIC.
Each participant will complete both the VR-based intervention and the traditional TheraBand exercise intervention during a single study session. The VR intervention will be performed using a Virtualis rehabilitation system with an HTC Vive headset and motion controllers and will involve controlled upper-extremity movements designed to promote appropriate scapular and postural control. The traditional exercise condition will include standing active free exercises targeting the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles. A rest period will be provided between the two exercise conditions to minimize the potential effects of fatigue.
The primary comparison will examine normalized trapezius muscle activation during the VR-based and active free exercise conditions. Additional assessments will examine posture, trapezius muscle strength, cervical range of motion, and cervical proprioception. The study is intended to provide information regarding the immediate neuromuscular responses to VR-based rehabilitation and its potential application as an interactive approach to postural rehabilitation.
- Being tested
- Virtual reality exercise, Active free Exercise
- Keywords
- Trapezius Muscle, Cervical Proprioception, Craniovertebral Angle, Traditional Exercise, Surface electromyography, Muscle Activation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual reality exerciseOther
Participants will perform a Virtualis virtual reality rehabilitation activity using an HTC Vive headset and motion controllers while standing. The activity involves controlled upper-extremity reaching movements designed to encourage scapular retraction and depression and maintenance of an upright head and trunk posture. Trapezius muscle activity will be recorded continuously using surface electromyography (sEMG)
Active free ExerciseOther
Participants will perform standing Active free exercises targeting the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles. Exercises will include diagonal arm elevation, horizontal abduction, and shoulder elevation. The duration of exercise during the active free condition will be matched to the duration of the VR intervention. Trapezius muscle activity will be recorded continuously using surface electromyography (sEMG).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VR and Traditional Exercise | Experimental | Participants will complete both a virtual reality (VR)-based exercise intervention and a traditional exercise intervention during a single study session. Trapezius muscle activity will be recorded using surface electromyography (sEMG) during both exercise conditions, with a rest period provided between interventions to minimize fatigue. Receives: Other: Virtual reality exercise; Other: Active free Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Trapezius Muscle Activation (sEMG)
Surface electromyography (sEMG) will be used to measure upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscle activation during the virtual reality and Active free exercise conditions. EMG activity will be normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and expressed as %MVIC.
Measured: During the single study session (approximately 35-45 minutes)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Oct 2026
- Study start25 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion25 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Oct 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postural MalalignmentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- All participants, including healthy individuals and individuals with postural malalignment, will complete virtual reality-based exercises followed by active free exercises during the same session. Trapezius muscle activity will be assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) during both exercise conditions. EMG activity will be compared between the two exercise conditions and between healthy individuals and individuals with postural malalignment.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hofstra University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mohamed Abdelmegeed, Hofstra University
- Investigators
- Mohamed Abdelmegeed, Ph.D. in Physical Therapy, Principal investigator, Hofstra University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07854678
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20260723-AHK-SHS-ABD-1
- Acronym
- EMG
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No