The Effect of Virtual Reality on Fatigue and Functional Capacity in Patients With MS (VRMS)

Istinye University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remitting; Multiple Sclerosis; Virtual Reality

Treatments: Other: control group( physical therapy); Other: Experemental group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06987994

VRMS2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a complementary intervention to traditional physical therapy for individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic neurological condition that affects motor and cognitive functions, with fatigue being one of the most common and disabling symptoms. This study will assess whether the use of VR-based applications, in addition to standard physiotherapy, can reduce fatigue and improve functional capacity in individuals with MS.

Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: one group will receive conventional physiotherapy only, while the other will receive VR-based therapy alongside physiotherapy. The intervention period will last four weeks, and both groups will be evaluated using standardized outcome measures before and after the intervention. These include the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).

The study is designed to address a gap in current literature, as no prior research has specifically examined the impact of virtual reality on fatigue and functional performance in MS patients. The findings may provide valuable insights into innovative rehabilitation strategies that enhance patient outcomes and improve quality of life.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. individuals diagnosed as MS by a physician
2. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 2.0-6.5
3. Patient able to walk with or without the use of unilateral support (e.g., a cane)
4. Patient had not experienced a severe exacerbation of symptoms requiring medical intervention in the previous month
5. subjects had to have the cognitive capacity to assure the requisite cognitive ability
6. spasticity up to 2 on Ashworth scale.

Exclusion criteria

• 1. cognitive disorders hampering the execution of the exercises/assessment, 2. Ability to maintain monopodalic-standing position for 10 s 3. cardiovascular disorders 4. orthopedic disorders that could negatively affect balance 5. uncorrected visual or auditory impairments 6. pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Virtual Reality group

Experimental group

Description:

In this group the number of Participants are 15 . The experment by using VR sessions will last 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks . In addition to the same physiotherapy program used in the control group, this group will receive Virtual Reality (VR) training using a Meta Quest 2 headset . Patients will interact with immersive environments designed to stimulate movement and functional tasks.

Treatment:

Other: Experemental group

conventional physica ltherapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The treatment includes:Standing exercises: multidirectional stepping, single- and double-leg stance .Walking exercises: forward, backward, and lateral walking.Weight-shifting exercises: lunges, half-squats, leaning, and reaching,and the participent will be also 15 pateint

Treatment:

Other: control group( physical therapy)