Low-powered prismatic lenses to change head and neck posture

Radiographic Head and Neck Positional Changes in Response to Oculomotor Muscles Tonic Modification Using Low-powered Prismatic Lenses

This will test whether wearing low-powered prismatic lenses can quickly change head and neck positioning in people with Postural Deficiency Syndrome.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Lisbon Academic Medical Center - Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa (Research network)
• Locations: 1 site (Lisbon, Lisbon District)
• Trial ID: NCT07532642 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will use a matched-pair observational design to measure short-term radiographic changes in head and neck positioning after applying low-powered prismatic lenses. Participants receive low-dose biplanar radiography immediately before lens application and again 15 minutes after wearing the lenses. The study enrolls patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Postural Deficiency Syndrome, including asymmetrical stance and characteristic head extension/rotation and directional pseudoscotoma. Key exclusions include reduced vision, eye movement disorders, prior eye or vestibular surgery, central nervous system or inner ear disease, interfering medications, or recent treatment for postural disorders.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with Postural Deficiency Syndrome who show two or more cardinal signs (for example asymmetrical stance and head extension/rotation), have the typical directional pseudoscotoma, near-normal vision, and no major neurologic or vestibular conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with vision under 8/10, strabismus or nystagmus, prior eye or vestibular surgery, known central nervous system or inner ear disease, use of medications that affect balance, or those treated for postural/movement disorders in the past year are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, noninvasive way to produce immediate improvements in head and neck alignment and possibly reduce postural neck pain.

How similar studies have performed: Existing evidence that prism lenses alter posture is limited to small observational reports and clinical anecdotes, and robust controlled evidence is lacking.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Presentation of diagnostic criteria for Postural Deficiency Syndrome comprising of

* Two or more cardinal signs of Postural Deficiency Syndrome
* Clinical presentation of asymmetrical stance and head extension and rotation
* Presence of typical directional pseudoscotoma described in this syndrome

Exclusion Criteria:

* Vision under 8/10, strabismus or nistagmus;
* Previous eye or vestibular surgery;
* Known disease affecting the central nervous system or inner ear;
* Medication with known interference with balance and posture and
* treatment for postural and movement disorders in the previous year.

Where this trial is running

Lisbon, Lisbon District

• Caml — Lisbon, Lisbon District, Portugal (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: João Alves da Silva, MD

Conditions Postural Neck Pain; Postural Imbalance; Postural Disorders