Balance and inner‑ear (vestibular) testing for children with balance problems
Vestibular ASsessment In Children - Balance Function in Normal Children and Specific Risk Groups (VASIC)
This project will see if early vestibular testing and physiotherapy help children aged 6 months to 10 years with delayed motor development or dizziness improve their balance.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Months to 10 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Gødstrup Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Herning) |
| Trial ID | NCT06229704 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective cohort of children aged 6 months to 10 years with delayed gross motor milestones and/or dizziness or balance problems. Participants complete questionnaires and hearing screening and undergo a child‑friendly vestibular and postural test battery including video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), cervical and ocular VEMPs (cVEMP and oVEMP), and Computerized Dynamic Posturography. Children recommended for rehabilitation are followed to document balance progression after physiotherapy. The study tests the hypothesis that vestibular dysfunction causes some motor delays and that early detection plus rehabilitation can improve balance outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children 6 months to 10 years old with delayed gross motor development and/or symptoms of dizziness or balance problems whose parents can give written consent.
Not a fit: Children whose balance problems stem from severe visual impairment, congenital nystagmus, restricted eye movement, medication that alters vestibular function, or non‑vestibular neurological disorders may not benefit from vestibular‑focused rehabilitation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, earlier diagnosis and targeted physiotherapy could improve balance, motor development, and quality of life for affected children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links vestibular dysfunction to delayed motor milestones and supports the use of vHIT and VEMP testing, but pediatric rehabilitation outcomes have been less extensively studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children in the age of 6 months to 10 years * Delayed gross motor development and/or dizziness/balance problems. * Written informed consent from the parents. Exclusion Criteria: * Visual impairment to such a degree that the child is not able to maintain fixation on a dot one meter away. * Congenital nystagmus * Compromised eye muscle mobility * VEMP-electrode allergy * History of symptomatic head or neck trauma * Prescription of medicine which alters vestibular outputs (for instance sedative antihistamines)
Where this trial is running
Herning
- Gødstrup Regional Hospital — Herning, Denmark (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Signe F Bønløkke, PhD student
- Email: siband@rm.dk
- Phone: +45 41405064
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.