Comparison of Prefrontal Hemodynamic Responses and Balance Control Differences Based on Head Posture and Task Difficulty in Cognitive-Balance Tasks

Sahmyook University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Forward Head Posture; Normal Head Posture

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06850077

SYU 2025-01-017-003

Details and patient eligibility

About

• Recent studies have shown that individuals with forward head posture (FHP) experience not only impaired balance control but also cognitive deficits.
• Using a balance-cognitive dual-task paradigm, this study aims to explore the relationship between balance ability and Prefrontal cortex(PFC) oxygenation levels(△HbO2) in individuals with FHP compared to those with normal head posture(NHP).
• By analyzing differences in frontal lobe activation based on task difficulty, this study is expected to provide practical data for designing balance training and cognitive-motor intervention programs tailored to individuals with FHP.

Full description

- This study is a cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the differences in balance ability between individuals with forward head posture (FHP) and those with normal head posture (NHP), as well as the differences in frontal lobe oxygenation levels during a balance-cognitive dual task.

Study participants will be assigned to receive two groups: (a) Forward head posture (b) Normal head posture. Each group will perform three balance tasks while simultaneously completing three cognitive tasks. To determine the differences, the primary outcome will assess prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic response, and the secondary outcome will assess balance ability.

Enrollment: 38 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 39 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy adults aged 20 to 39 years
• Classified as having Forward Head Posture (FHP) or Normal Head Posture (NHP) based on Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) measurement

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals with a history of spinal or musculoskeletal trauma or surgery
• Individuals who have reported recent neck or shoulder pain

Trial design

38 participants in 2 patient groups

Forward head posture group

Description:

The experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities. During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task

Normal head posture group

Description:

The experiment will be conducted for approximately 30 minutes. It will comprise cognitive tasks with three levels of difficulty and balance tasks, with task difficulty adjusted according to each participant's cognitive and balance abilities. During the experiment, changes in cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and balance ability will be assessed and analyzed.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive-Balance dual task