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Acquired Brain InjuriesNeuroVRNCT06838975

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Cognitive, Emotional, and Motor Recovery in Neurological Disorders

A study testing VR Training and traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices in people with Acquired Brain Injuries and Spinal Cord Injury, run by IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo at 2 sites in Italy.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation in improving cognitive, emotional, social, and motor functions in patients with neurological disorders (ABI, SCI, MS, PD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
What is being tested?
VR Training and traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
328 participants
Where
2 sitesItaly
Study dates
16 Jan 2025to 31 Jan 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age: 18 to 75 years
  • Diagnosis:
  • Parkinson's Disease (PD) (MDS Clinical Diagnostic Criteria) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (McDonald Criteria) Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) (ASIA Impairment Scale) Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) (WHO Criteria for Stroke)
  • Education: Minimum of 5 years of formal education
  • Cognitive and physical ability to engage in rehabilitation

Who cannot join

  • Major psychiatric disorders (e.g., psychosis, severe depression, anxiety disorders)
  • Severe medical conditions that impair participation
  • Sensory or motor impairments preventing VR interaction
  • Contraindications for MRI (e.g., pacemakers, incompatible implants)
  • Pregnancy

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Italy2 sites
  • IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

    Messina, Italy/Me, 98123

  • IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

    Messina, Italy/Me, 98124

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation to Improve Cognitive, Emotional, Relational, and Motor Domains in Patients With Neurological and Neurodegenerative Disorders

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation in improving cognitive, emotional, social, and motor functions in patients with neurological disorders (ABI, SCI, MS, PD). It investigates whether VR improves motor and cognitive functions more than traditional therapy, identifies neurophysiological changes (EEG, fNIRS, MRI), and assesses the integration of VR with NIBS or telerehabilitation. Conducted over three years at IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, participants are randomly assigned to either a VR training group or an active control group receiving traditional rehabilitation. Procedures include baseline assessments (T0), 20 rehabilitation sessions over 8 weeks, post-intervention evaluations (T1), and a 3-month follow-up (T2). Primary outcomes measure motor and cognitive function (MoCA, MMSE, FIM, TUG, Berg Balance Scale), neurophysiological changes (EEG, MRI, fNIRS, motion analysis), and emotional/social function (Empathy Quotient, Hamilton Depression Scale).

Read the detailed description

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation in improving cognitive, emotional, social, and motor functions in patients with neurological and neurodegenerative disorders (Acquired Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's Disease). The study also explores neurophysiological changes and the potential benefits of combining VR with non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and telerehabilitation.

Objectives:

Primary Objectives:

Assess the effectiveness of VR-based rehabilitation in enhancing cognitive and motor functions.

Identify neurophysiological changes (EEG, fNIRS, MRI) associated with functional recovery.

Secondary Objectives:

Identify behavioral and neurophysiological biomarkers predictive of rehabilitation outcomes.

Compare the effectiveness of different VR devices for rehabilitation. Evaluate the impact of VR telerehabilitation on recovery and continuity of care.

Explore the synergistic effects of VR combined with NIBS.

Methods:

Study Site: IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo. Duration: 3 years. Participants: 328 individuals with neurological disorders (18-75 years old).

Design:

Participants will be randomized into two groups:

VR Training Group: Engages in immersive VR-based rehabilitation. Active Control Group: Receives conventional therapy. Sessions: 20 sessions over 8 weeks (3 times per week).

Assessments at 3 time points:

T0 (Baseline): Neurological, neuropsychological, motor, and neurophysiological evaluations.

T1 (Post-intervention): Repeat assessments to measure immediate effects. T2 (Follow-up at 3 months): Evaluate the maintenance of improvements.

Assessments \& Outcome Measures:

Cognitive Function: MoCA, MMSE, ACE-R, Rao's Battery. Motor Function: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), TUG, Tinetti Scale, Berg Balance Scale.

Neurophysiological Changes: EEG, fNIRS, MRI, eye-tracking, motion analysis, sEMG.

Emotional \& Social Function: Short Empathy Quotient (EQ-short), Faux Pas Test, Hamilton Depression Scale.

Usability \& Acceptance: System Usability Scale (SUS).

Expected Impact:

This study aims to advance personalized rehabilitation strategies, improve accessibility to innovative therapies (e.g., telerehabilitation), and optimize the use of VR-based interventions in clinical practice.

Being tested
VR Training, traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices
Keywords
Neurorehabilitation, Virtual Reality, Cognitive and motor recovery, cognitive rehabilitation, neurological disorders
Medical subject headings
Spinal Cord Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, Nervous System Diseases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • VR TrainingDevice

    Also called Experimental Group

    Participants in the VR Training Group will undergo a virtual reality-based rehabilitation program designed to improve cognitive, emotional, social, and motor functions. The intervention consists of 20 sessions over 8 weeks (3 sessions per week), using immersive and non-immersive VR systems tailored to individual needs. The program integrates interactive exercises, real-time feedback, and task-oriented training to enhance motor function, cognitive abilities, and patient engagement. Neurophysiological changes will be monitored through EEG, MRI, and motion analysis to assess brain plasticity and functional improvements.

  • traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practicesOther

    Participants in the Active Control Group will receive traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices. The intervention consists of 20 sessions over 8 weeks (3 sessions per week), focusing on conventional physical therapy, cognitive training, and task-oriented exercises to enhance motor function and cognitive abilities. This group serves as a comparison to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-based rehabilitation. Neurophysiological changes will be monitored using EEG, MRI, and motion analysis to assess functional improvements.

Study groups in NCT06838975
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
VR Training GroupExperimentalParticipants in the VR Training Group will undergo a virtual reality-based rehabilitation program designed to improve cognitive, emotional, social, and motor functions. The intervention consists of 20 sessions over 8 weeks (3 sessions per week), using immersive and non-immersive VR systems tailored to individual needs. The program integrates interactive exercises, real-time feedback, and task-oriented training to enhance motor function, cognitive abilities, and patient engagement. Neurophysiological changes will be monitored through EEG, MRI, and motion analysis to assess brain plasticity and functional improvements.
Receives: Device: VR Training
Active Control GroupActive comparatorParticipants in the Active Control Group will receive traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices. The intervention consists of 20 sessions over 8 weeks (3 sessions per week), focusing on conventional physical therapy, cognitive training, and task-oriented exercises to enhance motor function and cognitive abilities. This group serves as a comparison to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-based rehabilitation. Neurophysiological changes will be monitored using EEG, MRI, and motion analysis to assess functional improvements.
Receives: Other: traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Improvement in Cognitive Function

    Change in cognitive function from baseline (T0) to post-intervention (T1) and follow-up at 3 months (T2), assessed through standardized neuropsychological tests (Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MOCA). A clinically significant improvement is defined as a measurable increase in at least two subscales of the respective cognitive tests.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), Post-Intervention (T1: 8 weeks), and Follow-Up (T2: 3 months post-intervention).

  2. Improvement in Motor Function

    Change in motor function from baseline (T0) to post-intervention (T1) and follow-up at 3 months (T2), assessed through standardized clinical tests, including the Berg Balance Scale. A clinically significant improvement is defined as a measurable increase in functional mobility and balance scores.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), Post-Intervention (T1: 8 weeks), and Follow-Up (T2: 3 months post-intervention).

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Neurophysiological Changes Associated with Rehabilitation

    Change in neurophysiological markers from baseline (T0) to post-intervention (T1) and follow-up (T2), assessed through EEG. Significant changes will be identified based on increased functional connectivity and structural adaptations indicative of neuroplasticity.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), Post-Intervention (T1: 8 weeks), and Follow-Up (T2: 3 months post-intervention).

  2. Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation

    Comparison of functional improvements between participants receiving VR-based rehabilitation in clinical settings versus those undergoing a telerehabilitation protocol. Changes in motor and cognitive function will be assessed from baseline (T0) to post-intervention (T1) and follow-up (T2) using MoCA. Accessibility, adherence, and patient-reported outcomes will also be analyzed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of remote VR-based rehabilitation.

    Measured: Baseline (T0), Post-Intervention (T1: 8 weeks), and Follow-Up (T2: 3 months post-intervention)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Feb 2025
  2. Study start16 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completion29 Sep 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Jan 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This study follows a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with a parallel assignment model, where participants are randomly allocated to either a VR-based rehabilitation group or a traditional rehabilitation control group. The intervention consists of 20 sessions over 8 weeks, with follow-up assessments at post-intervention (T1) and 3 months (T2). Blinded evaluators will conduct neurological, cognitive, motor, and neurophysiological assessments (EEG, MRI, fNIRS, motion analysis) at each time point. This model allows for a rigorous comparison of VR rehabilitation with conventional therapy, examining its effects on functional recovery, neurophysiological changes, and treatment adherence.
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
328 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06838975
Sponsor's protocol ID
NEURO_VR
Other IDs
Current Research Funds 2025
Acronym
NeuroVR
Status last verified
Jan 2025
First submitted
31 Jan 2025
Last updated
21 Feb 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: IPD related to primary and secondary outcome measures will be shared. This includes data on cognitive performance, social cognition, neurophysiological parameters (EEG and MRI biomarkers), gait analysis, and eye movement metrics. Data will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request, following ethical and legal guidelines to ensure participant confidentiality. Access will be provided through a secure platform for a limited period after the study's completion. Specific requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and approved researchers must agree to terms of use.

Publications

  • Maggio MG, Maresca G, De Luca R, Stagnitti MC, Porcari B, Ferrera MC, Galletti F, Casella C, Manuli A, Calabro RS. The Growing Use of Virtual Reality in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Fact, Fake or Vision? A Scoping Review. J Natl Med Assoc. 2019 Aug;111(4):457-463. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2019.01.003. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

    PubMed 30739728
  • De Luca R, Russo M, Naro A, Tomasello P, Leonardi S, Santamaria F, Desiree L, Bramanti A, Silvestri G, Bramanti P, Calabro RS. Effects of virtual reality-based training with BTs-Nirvana on functional recovery in stroke patients: preliminary considerations. Int J Neurosci. 2018 Sep;128(9):791-796. doi: 10.1080/00207454.2017.1403915. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

    PubMed 29148855
  • Maggio MG, Bonanno M, Manuli A, Onesta MP, De Luca R, Quartarone A, Calabro RS. Do Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Benefit from Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality Cognitive Training? Preliminary Results from an Exploratory Study on an Underestimated Problem. Brain Sci. 2023 Jun 13;13(6):945. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13060945.

    PubMed 37371423

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing VR Training and traditional cognitive and motor rehabilitation following standard clinical practices in people with Acquired Brain Injuries and Spinal Cord Injury, run by IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo at 2 sites in Italy.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Improvement in Cognitive Function (time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-Intervention (T1: 8 weeks), and Follow-Up (T2: 3 months post-intervention).). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06838975, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Feb 2025.

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