Balance reactions to moving visual patterns in people with concussion and other dizziness
Visually Induced Dizziness in Concussed and Non-Concussed Dizzy Patients: Identifying the Pathophysiology of Postural Control Upon Optokinetic Stimuli
This project will test whether spinning visual patterns shown on a rotating disk or in virtual reality cause balance problems and dizziness in adults with recent concussion or other ongoing dizziness compared with healthy people.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Zurich, Canton of Zurich and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06893029 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will expose participants to optokinetic stimulation delivered either by a physical rotating disk or a virtual reality headset showing bright moving dots while recording postural sway and documenting symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and nausea. The study enrolls adults with persistent symptoms after a concussion, adults with non‑traumatic dizziness (including vestibular migraine), and healthy control participants for comparison. Objective balance measures and symptom ratings will be compared across groups to identify patterns associated with visually induced dizziness. The overall aim is to develop clearer, objective markers that could complement current questionnaire‑based diagnosis.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–60 with binocular vision who have persistent dizziness 4 weeks to 18 months after a concussion or who have a non‑traumatic dizziness diagnosis (including vestibular migraine) are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with BMI over 30, severe uncorrectable visual impairment, balance problems not caused by dizziness (for example from neurological or orthopaedic conditions), acute vestibular syndrome, recent traumatic brain injury within the last 12 months, drug/substance‑related dizziness, or cognitive impairments that prevent task comprehension are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce objective tests to help diagnose visually induced dizziness and tailor rehabilitation for affected patients.
How similar studies have performed: Related optokinetic and balance tests have shown objective differences in some prior studies, but methods and results vary and no definitive, widely accepted objective diagnostic test for VID currently exists.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 60 years * Binocular vision * Recent concussion/mTBI within 4 weeks to 18 months post-injury for concussed patients * Diagnosis related to dizziness or VID within 4 weeks to 18 months for non-concussed dizzy patients (including vestibular migraine) * Signed ICF for included participants or signed general consent for retrospectively included patients if an ICF cannot be obtained. Exclusion Criteria: * BMI greater than 30 * Acute vestibular syndrome lasting at least 24 hours * Severe non-correctable visual impairment * Balance issues not dizziness-related, including: 1. Neurological conditions (e.g., migraine) 2. Orthopaedic conditions (e.g., lower extremity injury) 3. Infectious diseases 4. Other medical contexts * Dizziness attributed to prescribed drugs, substance abuse, or mental disorders * Cognitive impairments compromising task comprehension * Preceding history of traumatic brain injury in the last 12 months * History of severe traumatic brain injury with persisting impairments * Other potentially confounding problems (e.g., psychiatric disease) * Frequent episodes of rotatory vertigo
Where this trial is running
Zurich, Canton of Zurich and 1 other locations
- BrainCare Medical Group — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- University Hospital Zurich, Department of Neurology — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dominik Straumann, Prof. Dr. med.
- Email: Dominik.Straumann@uzh.ch
- Phone: +41 44 255 55 64
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.