Augmented Reality-Based Dual-Task Training in People With Multiple Sclerosis

NCT07434934 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: REC-24-12-22-01-F133128
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common NDD affecting young people worldwide. MS can seriously affect quality of life and hinder daily functional activities. Therefore, living with MS is a daunting task for both patients and their families. With the prediction of an increase in life expectancy, it is also expected that MS will pose major challenges to healthcare providers in the UAE and globally in terms of its clinical management and financial implications. This proposed project aims to develop structured AR scenarios that integrate dual-tasking exercises commonly used in MS physiotherapy, specifically designed to meet the needs of PwMS. The primary goal is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of these AR scenarios as a rehabilitation tool for PwMS.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

dual task; rehabilitation; augmented reality; motor function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Gait Velocity- single-task (BTS GAITLAB)

  Measured using BTS GAITLAB (Physiotherapy Laboratory, University of Sharjah) during walking under single-task condition (walking only). Report mean gait velocity across trials. Higher = faster walking.

  six weeks

• Gait velocity during dual-task walking (m/s)

  Measured using BTS GAITLAB during walking under dual-task cognitive condition. Report mean gait velocity across trials. Higher = faster walking under dual-task.

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (18)

• Balance - Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

  Six weeks

• Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale score (0-100%)

  6 weeks

• Five Times Sit-to-Stand test time (seconds)

  6 weeks

• Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) rating

  6 weeks

• Biodex Balance System stability index (unit per device output)

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Augmented Reality

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The participants in the experimental group will be asked to make 3 visits per week for a total of 18 sessions over the intervention period (6-week). Each session is expected to last between 40 minutes to one hour.

Other: Augmented Reality Exercises

Home-based exercises

NO INTERVENTION

Home exercise control group will include the same exercises as in the intervention group except that they will perform at home for the same parameters without the utility of AR.

Interventions

Augmented Reality Exercises OTHER

All participants in the experimental group will then be given a tutorial on how to perform the proposed exercises based on AR and they will be asked to familiarise themselves with the system. While the participants in the control group will be given a leaflet of physical exercises and they will be instructed by a physical therapist on the correct performance of these exercises

Also known as: AR dual task

Augmented Reality

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS according to the revised McDonald criteria and PDDS score of ≤6
• Age above 18 years;
• Affected by relapsing remitting and secondary progressive MS
• Successful completion of Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
• Presence of mild/moderate cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA \>18)
• Ambulatory for indoor and outdoor mobility with or without an assistive device but without physical assistance

You may not qualify if:

• Acute illness or injury that would prevent safe participation in an exercise program
• Presence of any other neurological conditions (e.g., stroke),
• Presence of severe psychiatric illness other than anxiety or depression
• According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th -Edition (DSM- V),
• Presence of disabling sensory alterations (i.e. auditory and visual disturbances)
• Relapse in the 3 months before enrollment
• Current engagement in 3 days a week or more of moderate/vigorous exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sharjah: lead
• Qatar University: collaborator
• University College Cork: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Alham Al Sharman

Sharjah city, Emirate of Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Alham Al Sharman, Associate Prof

CONTACT

00971563103259; aal-sharman@sharjah.ac.ae

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2028
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

AE (1)