Cervical position sense, core stability, and balance in university students with upper crossed syndrome
Relationship Between Cervical Position Sense, Core Stabilization, and Postural Balance in University Students Aged 18 to 30 Years With Upper Crossed Syndrome
This project will test if students aged 18–30 with upper crossed syndrome have poorer neck position sense, weaker core stability, and worse postural balance than students without the condition.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Istinye University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Topkapi) |
| Trial ID | NCT07577492 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a cross-sectional comparison enrolling 48 university students (24 with Upper Crossed Syndrome and 24 healthy controls) who will complete a single standardized assessment session at Istinye University’s Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Laboratory. Trained personnel will measure cervical position sense, core stabilization function, and postural balance using a battery of clinical and instrumental tests. Participants are recruited from campus via flyers, social media, emails, and on-site screening. All data collection occurs in one visit under consistent conditions to limit variability between participants.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are university students aged 18–30 who have a clinical diagnosis of Upper Crossed Syndrome with forward head posture (CVA < 49°), rounded shoulders (>2.5 cm), chronic neck pain, and impaired cervical position sense.
Not a fit: Patients with prior cervical spine surgery, neurological or vestibular disorders, recent acute musculoskeletal injury, significant visual impairment affecting balance, pregnancy, or recent participation in another interventional trial are excluded and would not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify which proprioceptive and core deficits most relate to poor posture and neck pain, guiding targeted rehabilitation for affected students.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has reported benefits from posture correction or pain-focused interventions, but combining cervical proprioception, core stability, and balance in a single comparison is relatively novel and not well studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * University students aged 18-30 years. * Diagnosis of Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) confirmed by postural assessment. * Forward Head Posture with Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) less than 49 degrees. * Rounded Shoulder Posture greater than 2.5 cm. * Presence of chronic neck pain. * Impaired cervical position sense. Exclusion Criteria: * History of cervical spine surgery. * Neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease). * Acute musculoskeletal injury to the neck, back, or upper extremities within the past 3 months. * Previous traumatic injuries to the neck or back. * Any diagnosed vestibular or balance disorder. * Visual impairment that affects balance. * Pregnancy. * Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the past 30 days.
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Topkapi
- Istinye Uni — Istanbul, Topkapi, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nalan Engin, Phd — Istinye University
- Study coordinator: abdelrahman borham, Msc
- Email: 2433095036@stu.istinye.edu.tr
- Phone: 05359411681
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.