Mental imagery plus Cawthorne-Cooksey vestibular exercises for young adults with vestibular hypofunction

Effects Of Mental Imagery Along With Vestibular Rehabilitation On Young Adults With Vestibular Hypofunction

NA · Riphah International University · NCT07064096

This study tests whether adding mental imagery to Cawthorne-Cooksey vestibular exercises helps young adults (20–40) with unilateral vestibular hypofunction reduce dizziness and improve balance.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment44 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
SponsorRiphah International University (other)
Locations2 sites (Gujar Khān, Punjab Province and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07064096 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll about 44 young adults with unilateral vestibular hypofunction and randomly assign them to Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises alone or Cawthorne-Cooksey plus guided mental imagery. Primary outcomes include dizziness, vertigo, and balance measured by instruments such as the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), and clinical balance tests. Interventions are delivered at clinical sites and supervised by physiotherapy staff, with change-from-baseline comparisons between groups. The aim is to determine whether adding mental imagery produces greater improvement in symptoms and function than exercises alone.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 20–40 with unilateral vestibular hypofunction, a positive head thrust test, DHI score ≥16, and VSS score between 11 and 30.

Not a fit: People with bilateral vestibular hypofunction, other neurological disorders that affect balance, or non-vestibular causes of vertigo are unlikely to receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding mental imagery could reduce dizziness and improve balance faster or more completely than exercises alone for affected young adults.

How similar studies have performed: Mental imagery has shown benefits for motor control and balance in other populations, but combining it specifically with vestibular rehabilitation is relatively novel and underexplored.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction
* Head thrust test positive
* Age group 20-40
* DHI score 16 above
* VSS score 11-30

Exclusion Criteria:

* With any other associated neurological disorder that effect vestibular rehabilitation
* Having bilateral vestibular hypofunction
* Patients having any other associated disease that affects balance or cause vertigo other that vestibular

Where this trial is running

Gujar Khān, Punjab Province and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Vestibular Hypofunction, VESTIBULAR REHAB WITH MENTAL IMAGERY, BALANCE, VERTIGO AND DIZZINESS

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.