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Telerehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Multiple Sclerosis
Interventions
Behavioral: Usual care program
Behavioral: VRRS Khymeia
Behavioral: VRRS Khymeia plus active tDCS
Behavioral: VRRS Khymeia plus placebo tDCS
Registration Number
NCT03444454
Lead Sponsor
Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus
Brief Summary

The main aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System (VRRS, Khymeia) compared to usual care treatment for patients with MS at home.

The effects of the intervention on outcome variables will be assessed using a randomized controlled trial design with a comparison group receiving usual care training. The investigators will assess the effect of VRRS system on the quality of life, motor, and cognitive abilities. (Phase I) In the second phase of the present study we aim to evaluate the effects induced by the treatment of active (anodal) transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) combined with VRRS compared to placebo tDCS stimulation combined with VRRS. The effects of the intervention patient-relevant outcomes will be assessed using a randomized controlled trial design with four groups. The investigators will assess the effect of VRRS system on patient-relevant outcomes motor, cognitive and participation. (Phase II)

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
136
Inclusion Criteria
  • Confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (RR and SP) based on McDonald criteria
  • Education ≥ 8 ages
  • Italian mother language
  • Right-handedness
  • Use of corticosteroids for three months prior to the study, having and no acute exacerbations of symptoms within three months of the study.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Existence of visual acuity and acoustic perception problems, to prevent performance of VRRS activities
  • Relapses next to the time of enrolment (3 months)
  • EDSS > 6.5.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Usual care programUsual care programThe usual care group will have written, home-based exercise program, provided to them at an initial face-to-face assessment.
VRRS KhymeiaVRRS KhymeiaThe group will receive a kit home-based (a tablet home, an exercise equipment, access to a daily individualized training program). The exercise program will be remotely charged by therapist on the patient's computer. Each patient's performed session will be reviewed remotely by the therapist.
VRRS Khymeia plus active tDCSVRRS Khymeia plus active tDCSThe group will receive 5 sessions each lasting 45 minutes of an individualized home-based VRRS training combined with active (anodal) tDCS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over 1 week, followed by 5 weeks of home-based VRRS training
VRRS Khymeia plus placebo tDCSVRRS Khymeia plus placebo tDCSThe group will receive 5 sessions of an individualized home-based VRRS training combined with placebo tDCS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over 1 week, followed by 5 weeks of home-based VRRS training
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in measure of quality of lifeBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Quality of life will be measured by 54-item Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54) questionnaire

There is no single overall score for the MSQOL-54. Two summary scores - physical health and mental health - can be derived from a weighted combination of scale scores. In addition, there are 12 subscales: physical function, role limitations-physical, role limitations-emotional, pain, emotional well-being, energy, health perceptions, social function, cognitive function, health distress, overall quality of life, and sexual function. There are also two single-item measures: satisfaction with sexual function and change in health.

Administration forms and scoring instructions can be downloaded (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/MSQOL54_995.pdf ).

Higher values represent a better outcome

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change gross manual dexterityBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Box and Block Test

Change in balanceBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Mini-Balance Evalutation System (mini-BES) Test

Change cognitive statusBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Symbol Digit Modalities Test (Form Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests )

Change in Behavioral (anxiety)Baseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

State-trait anxiety inventory

Change in Emotional TraitsBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

The Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy (RESE) scale

The RESE scale assesses self-efficacy in expressing positive emotions and self-efficacy in managing negative emotions.

With this scale, participants rate (ranging from 1 \[not well at all\] to 5 \[very well\]) their capability to manage their emotional life. RESE scale consists of 12 items and are calculated 3 scores: 1) self-efficacy in expressing positive emotions (POS) score; 2)self-efficacy in managing negative emotions (NEG) score; 3)self-efficacy in managing despondency/distress (DES) score

Higher values within each score represent a better outcome

Change in global cognitive statusBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test

Change in gaitBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale

Change in fatigueBaseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Fatigue Severity Scale

A questionnaire with 9 items (questions)

Grading of each FSS item ranges from 1 to 7, where 1 indicates strong disagreement and 7 strong agreement, and the final score represents the mean value of the 9 items

Higher values represent a worse outcome

Change in Behavioral (depression)Baseline up to 6 weeks and 6 months

Beck Depression Inventory

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Irccs Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi

🇮🇹

Milano, MI, Italy

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