Comparative Effects of Gaze Stabilization Exercises and Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises on Craniovertebral Angle and Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in IT Students

Background: Vestibular dysfunction affects balance and spatial orientation, leading to symptoms like dizziness and impaired gaze stability. Forward head posture (FHP) is common among IT students due to prolonged screen time, exacerbating vestibular and postural issues.Objective: To compare the effects of Gaze Stabilization Exercises (GSE) and Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises (CCE) on craniovertebral angle (CVA) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) among IT students.Methods: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 IT students aged 19-25 years with FHP. Participants were randomly assigned to GSE (n=25) or CCE (n=25) groups. Interventions were performed thrice weekly for 3 weeks. CVA and VOR were assessed pre- and post-intervention using a goniometer and clinical scale, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 with Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests.Results: Post-intervention, Group B (CCE) showed a significant increase in CVA (mean rank 26.80, U = 280.000, p = 0.527). Group A (GSE) demonstrated a significant reduction in VOR (mean rank 30.80, U = 180.00, p = 0.003).Conclusion: GSE effectively improved VOR, while CCE significantly enhanced CVA, indicating the potential for targeted rehabilitation in addressing vestibular and postural dysfunctions.