Action Observation Training With 3D Virtual Reality in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

January 27, 2026 updated by: Tuba Kaya Benli, Abant Izzet Baysal University

Investigation of the Effect of Action Observation Training With 3D Virtual Reality on Upper Extremity Functions in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis With Attacks

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune and inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System characterized by neuronal demyelination and axonal degeneration. Upper extremity problems are present in MS patients from an early stage, affecting the performance of the individual and leading to a decrease in activity of daily living ability in proportion to the extent of the problem. Action Observation Training is currently being examined as one of the methods used for the improvement of motor disorders and has been shown in the literature to be effective on different functions in neurological diseases.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of action observation training with 3D virtual reality on upper extremity functions, fatigue, cognitive functions, activities of daily living and quality of life in MS patients.

Hypothesis 1: Action observation training with 3D virtual reality has an effect on upper extremity functions in MS patients.

Hypothesis 2: Action observation training with 3D virtual reality has an effect on cognitive function in MS patients.

Hypothesis 3: Action observation training with 3D virtual reality has an effect on fatigue in MS patients.

Hypothesis 4: Action observation training with 3D virtual reality has an effect on activities of daily living in MS patients.

Hypothesis 5: Action observation training with 3D virtual reality has an effect on quality of life in MS patients.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The training will involve watching 3D videos of upper limb functions in VR and then repeating the functions by the participants. The AOT group will watch video sequences involving upper limb functions, while the control group will watch landscape videos that are not likely to elicit activity in motor or ANS areas.

In our study, 3D videos of upper limb functions will be recorded with a 360° camera and will be shown to individuals through the VR system from the primary person's perspective.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

32

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Center
      • Bolu, Center, Turkey (Türkiye), 14030
        • Izzet Baysal University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • < 2 years MS diagnosis according to McDonald criteria
  • between 3.5 and 6 the EDSS
  • Nine Hole Peg Test > 30s for at least one upper extremity
  • no change in medication in the last 6 months
  • having MS disease with ongoing attacks
  • >2 Modified Ashworth Scale in the upper extremities
  • MOCA>25

Exclusion Criteria:

  • diagnosed with neurological (except MS), cardiopulmonary, metabolic or musculoskeletal disease that would prevent treatment and evaluation
  • receiving botulinum toxin treatment in the last 6 months
  • visual impairment uncorrected by optical devices
  • inability to adapt to treatment based on 3D immersive virtual reality (e.g. with cognitive impairment, communication problems, psychological problems or vestibular system problems)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention Group
action observation and upper extremity activities
Behavioral: Action observation training
6 weeks, three days a week.
Sham Comparator: Control Group
sham action observation and upper extremity activities
Behavioral: sham action observation training
6 weeks, three days a week.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
nine hole peg test
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
upper extremity function assessment
baseline and 6th week
hand dynamometer
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
grip strength assessment
baseline and 6th week
Box and Block Test
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
upper extremity function assessment
baseline and 6th week

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fatigue severity scale
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
fatigue assessment
baseline and 6th week
Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
Cognitive assessment
baseline and 6th week
The Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
activities of daily living assessment
baseline and 6th week
Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54
Time Frame: baseline and 6th week
quality of life assessment
baseline and 6th week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Abant Izzet Baysal University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Tuba Kaya Benli, MSc, Abant Izzet Baysal University
  • Study Director: Yeşim Bakar, Prof. Dr., Izmir Bakircay University
  • Study Chair: Şule Aydın Türkoğlu, Assoc. Prof., Abant Izzet Baysal University
  • Study Chair: Enes Tayyip Benli, MSc, Abant Izzet Baysal University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 2, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

March 2, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 18, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 24, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

October 30, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 27, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AIBU-FTR-TKB-001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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