Clinical Research Directory

Posture, Proprioception, Core Stability, and Balance in Weightlifters

This study aims to examine whether the posture of the upper back (thoracic kyphosis) is related to body awareness, core stability, and balance in people who regularly participate in weightlifting. Participants will undergo assessments of thoracic posture, proprioception, core stability, and dynamic balance. The study will also compare these measurements between different groups of weightlifting athletes.

Evaluation of Balance Using the Biodex Balance System Among Different Subcategories of Low Back Pain

this study aims to evaluate balance using the biodex balance system among patients with spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, and lumber disc prolapse.

Popliteus and Quadriceps Muscle Thickness and Clinical Parameters in Knee Osteoarthritis

This study aims to examine the relationships between the ultrasonographic muscle thicknesses of the popliteus and quadriceps muscles and functional capacity, balance, and pain levels in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Knee osteoarthritis is a major degenerative joint disorder causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, where surrounding muscle architecture plays a pivotal role in functional performance and joint stability. The study will recruit approximately 150 participants aged 65 years and older with Grade 3-4 KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence) and intact cognitive status (SMMSE score ≥24) presenting to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Health Application and Research Center, while excluding individuals with central nervous system, visual pathologies, or prior lower extremity surgeries. Muscle thicknesses of the popliteus and quadriceps (rectus femoris and vastus intermedius) will be measured via high-frequency B-mode ultrasonography by a specialist physician, using standardized anatomical landmarks and patient positioning. Functional capacity and mobility will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 5-Times Sit-to-Stand (5STS) tests, balance and proprioception via the Romberg Test, and knee-specific functional status and pain severity using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Relationship Between Visuospatial Attention and Balance

The term equilibrium is related to Newton's first law and, as used in mechanics, describes the state where the effect of the forces acting on an object is zero. Equilibrium is divided into two types: static and dynamic. Static equilibrium is the ability to maintain posture without any external forces. This type of equilibrium requires the center of gravity to be kept within the support base. Dynamic equilibrium, on the other hand, is the equilibrium maintained during motion. It requires a controlled shift of the center of gravity. Equilibrium is controlled by the proprioceptive, visual, and vestibular systems. The perception of one's own motion and balance is encoded by proprioceptive and visual signals, along with the vestibular system's perception of inertial motion. Connections between the vestibular nuclei and the cerebellum, hippocampus, prefrontal and parietal cortices provide information for cognitive functions such as spatial functions, navigation, and memory. Adaptation to postural changes in complex environments is known to be achieved through the coordinated and seamless functioning of these structures. In addition to these main systems, spatial orientation has been shown to be a crucial component for balance and posture control. Information from these systems is integrated and processed depending on the task and environment. The interaction and processing of sensory components can also be influenced by ongoing body movements, anticipation, prediction, or instructions. This sensory processing process can depend on many factors. The integration process can also go through a process involving inhibition. For example, standing on the deck of a station, a moving train may cause a person to perceive their own movement. The visual inputs that produce this sensation need to be excluded or blocked from the integration process. Like reweighting, inhibition is a dynamic process. While sensory information continuously flows into the brain, incompatible sensory channel(s) must be identified and blocked from integration. Visual-spatial skills are of great importance for functional independence; they enable us to interact with our environment in 2 and 3 dimensions, perceive the shapes of objects in space, understand the location of objects in space, and understand the spatial orientation of our body. Visual-spatial abilities also include responses to scanning space, reaction speed, visualization, orientation, and sustained or focused attention. Visual stimuli provide individuals with information about the environment. Since visual-spatial codes are three-dimensional, the environment can be perceived in three dimensions. Visual-spatial attention, a component of visual-spatial components, selects relevant sensory information and supports the preparation of responses to this information. It is defined in the Lifelong Development Dictionary published by the APA as 'the way an individual distributes their attention to the visual field'. It selects relevant sensory information and supports the preparation of responses to this information. It allows for selective processing of visual information by prioritizing a specific visual field section. Visual-spatial attention can be directed from one direction to another voluntarily or involuntarily. It is known that cognitive and motor skills develop in a coordinated manner in both children and older adults and that there is a significant relationship between them. There are studies in the literature that address balance and visual-spatial skills and indicate a relationship between them. In their study investigating the relationship between these two functions in stroke patients, Embrechts et al. revealed that reduced visuospatial skills can cause balance and posture problems. It has been suggested that visuospatial input is essential for proactive planning and adjustments to maintain stability in dynamic and complex environments and allows for preventive regulation of movement patterns that provide safe movement and postural control.

Rigid Taping's Effects on Posture and Balance in Office Workers

This study looks at whether applying a rigid tape to the upper back can immediately improve posture and balance in people who spend long hours sitting at a desk. Thirty office workers will have their head and neck position, spinal posture, and standing balance measured, then the tape will be applied to gently support the upper back and shoulders in a more upright position. The same measurements will be repeated 15 minutes later, while the tape is still in place. The tape is a flexible, skin-safe material commonly used in sports and physical therapy; it contains no medication and is not expected to cause discomfort or side effects. By comparing the measurements taken before and after taping, the researchers hope to learn whether this simple, non-invasive technique can produce an immediate improvement in head and spinal alignment and in balance control. This study looks only at short-term (acute) effects and does not test whether the benefits, if any, last beyond the taping session. The results may help patients and health care providers understand whether taping could serve as a quick, low-risk tool to support better posture during long periods of desk work.

Effects of Otago Exercise Program Vs Blind Folded Exercise on Falls, Balance and Quality of Life in Geriatric Population.

As people age, maintaining balance can become more difficult, which increases the risk of dangerous falls. This clinical study aims to compare two different physical therapy programs to see which one is more effective at improving balance, reducing the frequency of falls, and enhancing the overall quality of life for older adults (aged 60 and older). The first program is the Otago Exercise Program (OEP), which is a well-established, widely used routine focused on leg strengthening and active balance exercises. The second program is Blindfolded Exercise (BFE), which uses a safety harness or support bars while participants perform balance movements with their eyes covered. Temporarily removing vision forces the brain and body to rely more heavily on inner-ear balance systems (vestibular) and muscle/joint awareness (proprioception) to stay upright. A total of 40 participants will be randomly assigned to one of these two exercise groups. Both groups will attend 30- to 45-minute physical therapy sessions, 3 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. Researchers will assess participants' balance, walking speed, and overall quality of life at the beginning, middle, and end of the study to determine if sensory-deprived training (blindfolded) or muscle-strengthening training (Otago) offers better protection against falls.

Analysing The Impact of Foot Arch Height on Leg Muscle Tone and Balance in Young Adults.

The goal of this observational study is to explore how the shape of the foot arch affects muscle tone, strength, and balance in healthy young adults aged 18-25, of all genders. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does foot postures as Pes Planus, Pes Cavus, and Normal arch has significant effect on static and dynamic balance performance, lower limb muscle tone, or muscle strength in young adults? 2. What is the functional impact of foot posture on stability, movement efficiency, and injury risk? Participants will be grouped based on foot arch type: flat (pes planus), high (pes cavus), or normal using Arch Height Index (AHI). The investigators will compare groups to see if differences in foot arch affect postural stability, muscle tone, and strength. Participants will: * Complete a sociodemographic questionnaire (Age, gender, physical activity level, dominant leg, and footwear habits), and anthropometric measurements (Height, weight, and BMI). * Undergo static balance test for both legs: Single Leg Stance, counting the errors made in 30 seconds for 3 trials. \- Undergo dynamic balance tests for both legs: Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) by reaching in 8 directions while balancing on one foot, and Single-Leg Hop for Distance by hopping forward on one leg. * Have muscle tone and stiffness assessed using the MyotonPRO device on specified lower limb muscles. * Have muscle strength measured using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2) across major specified leg muscles. People have different types of foot arches. Some have flat feet (pes planus), some have high arches (pes cavus), and others have normal arches. These variations affect how the body aligns during movement and balance. Flat feet may cause inward rolling (overpronation), fatigue, and pain. High arches may cause stiffness, poor shock absorption, and a higher risk of ankle injuries. Both arch types can reduce postural control and increase the risk of imbalance. Since lower body muscles are critical for maintaining posture, weak or poorly coordinated muscles can worsen these effects. However, no previous study has comprehensively explored the combination of foot arch structure, muscle tone, muscle strength, and both static and dynamic balance. This study aims to fill that gap. The results may help healthcare professionals develop better screening and treatment strategies, such as exercise programs, rehabilitation approaches, and shoe recommendations for individuals with flat or high arches. By understanding these factors, the investigators can improve movement efficiency, prevent injuries, and support better quality of life. All participants will be informed of the study procedures and will provide both written and verbal consent. The study will be conducted in compliance with ethical standards.

Vestibular Balance-Cognition Dual-Task Digital System: Development of a Smart Rehabilitation Platform for the Elderly and Prediction of Balance Function Risks

This study is being done to better understand how vestibular problems and thinking abilities (such as attention and mental flexibility) are related in older adults, and how doing a balance task and a thinking task at the same time affects their performance. Older adults will first complete questionnaires and simple paper-and-pencil tests of attention, memory, and mental rotation while seated. They will then perform standing balance tasks on a portable force platform under different conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, standing on a foam surface) and will repeat some of the thinking tasks at the same time. Next, participants will walk on a treadmill while wearing small motion sensors, both with and without added thinking tasks such as serial subtraction and digit reordering. The total testing time is about 90 minutes. Two groups will be included: healthy older adults and older adults who have had dizziness or falls in the past two years. By comparing these groups, the study aims to provide a basis for designing future dual-task assessment and training programs to reduce balance problems and falls in older adults.

How's Your Balance?

The goals of this observational study are to investigate the following: * If there is a relationship between prior falls, single leg stance time, and plantar cutaneous sensitivity as measured by monofilaments. * Plantar sensitivity across a broad range of ages. * Self-reported physical function related to balance and mobility using the PROMIS® PROWalk™ questionnaire and balance confidence using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale-6 (ABC-6). Participants will answer questions about themselves and their balance and falls. Their plantar (bottom of their feet) sensation will also be tested using monofilaments. And they will stand on a force plate with their eyes open and closed in dual and single leg stances for up to 30 seconds.

Combined Effect of FES And FCT in Cerebral Palsy

To determine the combined effect of functional electrical stimulation and functional circuit training on postural stability, balance, and functional mobility in cerebral palsy

Effects of a Structured Physical Activity Program on Balance and Functional Performance in Children With Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome commonly exhibit hypotonia, impaired balance, and reduced functional mobility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured yoga-based physical activity program on balance and functional performance in children with Down syndrome. Fifteen children aged 7-12 years participated in a 12-week intervention program consisting of adaptive yoga exercises, breathing techniques, and relaxation practices. Outcome measures included balance assessment using a sensor-based digital system and functional performance tests. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of structured physical activity interventions in improving motor performance in children with Down syndrome.

Impact of Tai Chi in Cervical Myelopathy

The goal of this observational study is to determine if patients with cervical myelopathy who participate in a Tai Chi program will demonstrate improved gait and balance compared to patients who undergo usual care. Participants must be 18 years or older and have a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy.

Evaluation Of The Relationship Between The Conut Score And Balance And Functional Status In Patients With Chronic Stroke

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the CONUT score, which reflects nutritional status, and balance performance in patients with chronic stroke. The secondary aims are to investigate the association between the CONUT score and functional status and stroke-specific quality of life, as well as to assess the relationships of mid-upper arm circumference, an anthropometric indicator of nutritional status, and ultrasonographic rectus femoris muscle thickness, which reflects muscle mass, with balance performance, functional status, and stroke-specific quality of life. In addition, the study aims to examine the relationships between bone mineral density and balance, functional status, and ambulation level in patients with chronic stroke.

Development of a Static Balance Assessment Tool for High-Functioning Older Adults (KSVGH25-CT3-09)

This single-center interventional study aims to develop and validate a static balance assessment tool tailored for high-functioning older adults. Participants aged 65 years or older, who achieve a perfect score on the Short Physical Performance Battery and can maintain an open-eyes single-leg stance for at least 10 seconds, will be recruited. The assessment includes body composition measurement, open-eyes/closed-eyes single-leg stance, and the Balance Error Scoring System under firm and foam surface conditions. Each participant will undergo two testing sessions, 5-7 days apart, with both on-site and video-based scoring to determine test-retest reliability. The expected outcome is the development of an accurate and highly applicable static balance measurement tool to support healthy aging and fall prevention in community and long-term care settings.

Validity - Reliability of Berg Balance Scale in Albanian Population

Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and Reliability of Berg Balance Scale in Albanian population

Dizziness Due to Visual Stimuli in Patients With Concussion and Other Causes of Dizziness: Examination of Balance Behaviour

This research project aims to measure how balance is affected by special visual stimulation. Dizziness caused by complex moving visual patterns, known as optokinetic stimulation, is usually called visually induced dizziness (VID). The study includes patients with persistent symptoms after a concussion and those with non-traumatic dizziness. Healthy participants serve as a control group for the comparison of balance and symptom responses. The optokinetic stimulation is done using either a physical rotating disk or a virtual reality (VR) headset. The visual effects are created by bright moving dots. During the stimulation, these patterns move in a specific manner and directions while the subject's balance is recorded. Symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and nausea are also documented. The goal of this project is to improve objective diagnosis of VID. By comparing patients and healthy subjects, the study aim to assess the severity of the disorder. It is also assumed that using different visual stimuli during the balance assessment will offer more sensitive and accurate results. In the long term, this innovative assessment method shall support clinicians to establish the diagnosis of VID, and improve the treatment and management of patients with VID.

Vestibular Function in Obesity

Previous studies have demonstrated that obesity negatively affects the human vestibular system. However, whether improvement in vestibular function occurs following the resolution of obesity remains an area requiring further investigation. Therefore, the investigators aimed to assess and analyze vestibular system functions in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery, both before the surgery, after the surgery, and following significant weight loss. Participants aged between 18 and 60 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. Initially, participants will undergo medical history assessment and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement. The enrolled participants will be evaluated using the following tests at three different time points-preoperatively, at the 1st month postoperatively, and at the 6th month postoperatively: Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), static posturography test, Berg Balance Scale, SF-12 Quality of Life Scale, and the Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Although obesity has been shown to be associated with impaired postural balance, studies evaluating the direct effect of BMI on postural sway are limited. The aim of our study is to assess the vestibular system in obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. Through this, the investigators hope to contribute to the literature by providing balance assessments in individuals with obesity

Effects of Vestibular Training on Postural Control of Healthy Adults Using Virtual Reality

Postural instability is a common symptom of vestibular dysfunction that impacts a person's day-to-day activities. Vestibular rehabilitation is effective in decreasing dizziness, visual symptoms and improving postural control through several mechanisms including sensory reweighting. As part of the sensory reweighting mechanisms, vestibular activation training with headshake activities influence vestibular reflexes. However, combining challenging vestibular and postural tasks to facilitate more effective rehabilitation outcomes is under-utilized. The novel concurrent headshake and weight shift training (Concurrent HS-WST) is purported to train the vestibular system to directly impact the postural control system simultaneously and engage sensory reweighting to improve balance. Young healthy participants will perform the training by donning a virtual reality headset with an overhead harness on and a spotter present to prevent any falls. The investigators propose that this training strategy would show improved outcomes over traditional training methods by improving vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gains, eye movement variability, sensory reweighting and promoting postural balance. The findings of this study may guide clinicians to develop rehabilitation methods for vestibular postural control in neurological populations with vestibular and/or sensorimotor control impairment.

Ultrasound Assessment of Neck Muscles and Balance in Male Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between ultrasonographic measurements of the cervical muscles and balance parameters in patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

Assessment of Postural Control and Balance in the Older Adult

A randomised clinical trial is proposed, using a probabilistic allocation design to ensure an equitable distribution of participants between the different intervention and control groups, minimising bias and increasing the internal validity of the results. The trial foresees the voluntary participation of a total of 60 subjects, selected on the basis of previously established criteria and meeting specific characteristics criteria previously established and who meet the specific characteristics required for the study. The distribution of the participants in the clinical trial will be structured into three groups with characteristics and specific objectives, among which the following groups are highlighted: * Group 1 (G1) or control: This group will be composed of 20 participants who will not receive any specific intervention related to gerontogymnastics or occupational therapy programmes designed from occupational therapy. * Group 2 (G2) or experimental with gerontogymnastics: this group will be made up of 20 participants who will receive exclusively an intervention based on gerontogymnastics. This programme will include a series of exercises adapted to the needs of the older adult population, with an emphasis on population, with emphasis on improving balance, muscle strength, flexibility and motor coordination. Group 3 (G3) or experimental: will be composed of 20 participants who will receive a combined intervention. This will consist of a gerontogymnastics programme, mentioned above, merged with a specific occupational therapy plan, in which exercises such as: * Unipodal stability * Gait re-education * Muscle strength * Stationary gait

Developing a Daily-use Fall Risk Assessment Device in Clinical Setting

Study Objectives Objective 1: Compare the fall risk assessment results between balance sensors, traditional tests, and clinical diagnoses. Objective 2: Improve the feasibility of using sensors to assess fall risk among older patients in the hospital. The investigators select Hong Kong as the region for the experiment. Specifically, the community clinics and daytime hospitals are the actual onsite locations for experimenting. The specific venues of these locations need an electrical power supply and a flat ground for conducting the device test. Patients will be recruited for the development and testing of a device for fall risk assessment, study participants will be involved in balancing assessments, and questionnaire surveys, their medical records will be accessed. And during these tests and questionnaire surveys, the investigators will take photos, videos, and or audio recordings.

Comparative Study of Inclined Treadmill and Dynamic Cycling on Balace in Hearing Impaired Children.

Hearing loss is generally identified initially in life leading to difficulties in communication. In children, vestibular dysfunctions can cause a deficit in gross motor development and balance stability. At an early age, delayed gross motor development can cause impairment in the bilateral vestibular system and sensorineural hearing. The children with balance impairment cannot usually participate in physical activities. Running, cycling, hoping and leading to social isolation3. In Pakistan, 2.49% of the population suffers from some disability; the hearing loss population is 7.4%. In Pakistan, hearing loss is more reported in males as compared to females. According to the non-official data, nearly 1.2 in every 1000 Pakistani children suffer from moderate to severe bilateral hearing loss5. In this, 15% population is suffering from profound and nearly 85% from moderate to severe hearing loss.Children who have vestibular dysfunctions may experience many disorders of the vestibular system.Acute unilateral vestibular loss (AUVL) is the most frequent vestibular dysfunction. The etiology of acute unilateral vestibular loss is unknown, but the studies say it may be due to genetic and acquired causes (inflammatory and viral infections). The symptoms include static