Acute Effects of Oculomotor Exercises on Posturography and Gait Analysis Parameters in Regular Exercisers

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Oculomotor Exercise Program: The intervention consists of a single-session oculomotor exercise program including extraocular eye movement exercises, vestibulo-ocular and cervico-ocular gaze stabilization exercises, and accommodation exercises. During extraocular eye movement exercises, participants will follow a visual target with eye movements while keeping the head stable. During gaze stabilization exercises, participants will maintain visual fixation on a target while performing controlled head movements and walking steps. During accommodation exercises, participants will alternate visual focus between a near target and a distant target. Exercises will be performed at different speeds within the same session.

Study summary

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of a single-session oculomotor exercise program on static posturography and gait analysis parameters in healthy individuals who exercise regularly. Postural control and gait are complex sensorimotor functions that depend on the integration of visual, vestibular, somatosensory, and motor systems. Eye movements and gaze stabilization may contribute to postural orientation and locomotor control by influencing visual-vestibular integration, head-eye coordination, and sensorimotor adaptation. However, the immediate effects of short-duration oculomotor exercise programs on postural sway and gait-related parameters in regular exercisers have not been fully clarified.

This study is designed as a single-group, within-session, pre-post interventional study. Participants will undergo baseline assessments, complete a single session of oculomotor exercises, and then be reassessed after the intervention in the same testing session. The study population will consist of healthy adults who exercise regularly and meet the predefined eligibility criteria. Individuals with musculoskeletal injury, neurological or vestibular disorders, visual conditions that may affect balance or eye movement performance, or any condition limiting participation in the testing procedures will be excluded.

Static posturography will be performed using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 system to evaluate postural sway under different sensory conditions. Measurements will be obtained during quiet standing with eyes open on a firm surface, eyes closed on a firm surface, eyes open on a foam surface, and eyes closed on a foam surface. The main posturography variables will include sway area, trace length, sway velocity, lateral sway, and anterior-posterior sway.

Gait analysis will be performed before and after the intervention using the DIERS Pedogait system. Spatiotemporal, phase-related, and center-of-pressure-based gait parameters will be recorded. These parameters may include step length, stride length, step time, stride time, track width, cadence, stance phase, swing phase, double support, pre-swing, and center-of-pressure-related gait variables.

The oculomotor exercise program will include three main components: extraocular eye movement exercises, vestibulo-ocular and cervico-ocular gaze stabilization exercises, and accommodation exercises. During extraocular eye movement exercises, participants will be asked to follow a visual target with eye movements while keeping the head stable. During gaze stabilization exercises, participants will maintain visual fixation on a target while performing controlled head movements and walking steps. During accommodation exercises, participants will alternate focus between a near target and a distant target. The exercises will be performed at different speeds to stimulate oculomotor control, gaze stabilization, and visual focusing mechanisms.

The primary outcome of the study is the change in sway area from baseline to the post-intervention assessment. Secondary outcomes include changes in other static posturography parameters and gait analysis variables. By evaluating both postural sway and gait-related outcomes, this study aims to provide preliminary evidence on whether a short oculomotor exercise session may produce immediate changes in postural control and walking characteristics in regular exercisers.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change From Baseline in Sway Area Under Four Sensory Conditions — Baseline and 15 minutes after the intervention
  Sway area was assessed during 30 seconds of quiet standing using the HUR SmartBalance BTG4 static posturography system. Measurements were obtained under four sensory conditions: eyes open on a firm surface, eyes closed on a firm surface, eyes open on a foam surface, and eyes closed on a foam surface. Condition-specific sway area values were expressed using the same unit of measure (mm²). The change from baseline to 15 minutes after the single-session oculomotor exercise intervention was evaluated separately for each sensory condition..

Trial sites (1)

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