Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality on Postural Control and Risk of Fall in Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

NCT07854574 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IMMERSIVE VR in CIPN
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major cause of functional disability in cancer survivors. Patients with CIPN typically present with numbness, tingling, burning pain, and loss of proprioception, particularly in distal extremities. The sensory and motor deficits associated with CIPN impair balance and increase the likelihood of falls, which may lead to injury, decreased independence, and reduced quality of life. Loss of proprioception and vibration sense in CIPN disrupts sensory integration required for maintaining postural control. Consequently, individuals with CIPN often demonstrate gait instability, impaired balance, and increased sway during standing and walking tasks. Recent evidence suggests that immersive VR rehabilitation is feasible and safe for individuals with moderate to severe CIPN. Additionally, VR-based interventions may improve sensory symptoms and postural stability without adverse effects. Studies have demonstrated that immersive VR training improves the integration of visual and proprioceptive information, leading to enhanced postural stability in individuals with balance impairments. Virtual reality technology has shown promising results in balance rehabilitation by providing interactive environments that enhance patient engagement and stimulate multisensory feedback mechanisms. So, the purpose of the current study is to investigate the effect of immersive virtual reality on postural control and risk of fall in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Conditions

CIPN - Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Overall stability Index (OSI) by The Biodex balance system (BBS)

  The test is commonly performed under both static and dynamic conditions, with the platform stability level adjusted (e.g., levels 8 to 1, where lower levels indicate greater instability). Patients are instructed to maintain their center of gravity within the target displayed on the screen while minimizing platform movement. Each trial usually lasts 20-30 seconds and is repeated 2-3 times, with rest intervals between trials to avoid fatigue. The Biodex system automatically calculates the stability indices based on the degree of platform tilt in different directions: the OSI reflects overall variance of platform displacement.

  Baseline to 6 week post intervention

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Anterior-posterior stability index (APSI) by the biodex balance system

  Baseline to 6 week post intervention

• The mediolateral stability index (MLSI) by the biodex balance system

  Baseline to 6 weeks post intervention

• Fall Risk Index (FRI) by the biodex balance system

  Baseline to 6 weeks post intervention

• sensory integration by the Biodex balance system

  Baseline to 6 weeks post intervention

• Timed Up and Go (TUG)

  Baseline to 6 weeks post intervention

Study Arms (2)

Conventional physical Therapy Exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive 18 sessions over 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Each 60-minute session will consist of conventional physical therapy only.The intervention will consist of conventional physical exercise( static balance exercise, dynamic balance exercise, proprioceptive training, and functional mobility training).

Behavioral: The intervention will consist of conventional physical therapy exercise

Conventional physical Therapy Exercise + immersive VR

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive 18 sessions over 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Each 60-minute session will consist of 30 minutes of immersive virtual reality-based exercise and 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy.The Immersive VR training which include Game-like interactive exercise. participant should hold two controllers. Game requires continuous anticipatory postural adjustments, frequentWeight shifting (left/right), trunk rotation, and mini squats which improve dynamic balance, reaction time, sensorimotor integration (visual + vestibular + proprioception), and postural muscle activation.

Behavioral: The intervention will consist of conventional physical therapy exercise; Behavioral: Immersive Virtual Reality

Interventions

The intervention will consist of conventional physical therapy exercise BEHAVIORAL

( static balance exercise, dynamic balance exercise, proprioceptive training, and functional mobility training).

Also known as: Static and dynamic balance exercise

Conventional physical Therapy Exercise; Conventional physical Therapy Exercise + immersive VR

Immersive Virtual Reality BEHAVIORAL

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) uses head-mounted displays to place users inside interactive, 3D digital environments that actively train human postural control.VR-based interventions may improve sensory symptoms and postural stability without adverse effects. Studies have demonstrated that immersive VR training improves the integration of visual and proprioceptive information, leading to enhanced postural stability in individuals with balance impairments. Virtual reality technology has shown promising results in balance rehabilitation by providing interactive environments that enhance patient engagement and stimulate multisensory feedback mechanisms.

Also known as: Immersive VR

Conventional physical Therapy Exercise + immersive VR

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Forty female patients with chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
• Duration of illness will be from 3 months to 1 year after completion of chemotherapy.
• The patients age will be from 30 to 45.
• BMI will be ranged from 25-29.9 kg/m2.
• Patient with mild to moderate balance impairment Berg Balance Scale ( Score ranging from 21 to 56)
• Patient with normal cognition ( Mini-Mental scale examination score of \> 24 ).
• Ambulant patients
• Medically stable to participate In rehabilitation.

You may not qualify if:

• Patient will be excluded if they have one of the following:-
• Neurological Disorders affecting postural control and risk of fall other than CIPN (Diabetic polyneuropathy, Multiple sclerosis , and Radiculopathy)
• Any musculoskeletal disorders affecting balance ( Scoliosis, kyphosis, and fracture)
• Vestibular disorders and Visual impairments affecting balance.
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes mellitus

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Central Study Contacts

Mariam Motie Elfouly

CONTACT

201060416864; mariammotie@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's candidate

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2026
• First Posted: October 2, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027
• Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09