An interventional study of Augmented Reality Exercises in Multiple Sclerosis, sponsored by University of Sharjah. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United Arab Emirates. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-05.
Sponsored by University of Sharjah · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
Among the most concerning aspects of MS are the presence of gait impairments, balance deficits, and cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms become even more pronounced under dual-task conditions. Dual tasks require individuals to perform cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously. The interaction between cognitive and motor functions is vital for daily activities. Any disruption in this connection can lead to significant disabilities, including an increased risk of falls, which can severely impact a person's quality of life. However, despite the clear evidence that PwMS struggle with dual-tasking, there are limited therapeutic interventions that effectively utilize the dual-task paradigm to mitigate its consequences. A systematic review conducted by Plummer et al highlighted the impact of traditional physiotherapy dual-task training and the lack of cognitive-motor interaction in older adults, which limits the availability of evidence-based recommendations. The lack of dual task interaction in traditional physiotherapy approaches has been identified as a contributing factor to the suboptimal outcomes in improving mobility, cognitive function, and consequently the fall risks. The integration between cognitive-motor interaction in rehabilitation is crucial to achieve better outcomes to reduce fall risk. To address this gap, a rehabilitation program that specifically targets cognitive-motor interactions is warranted.
In the last few years, the use of gaming technology has emerged in the neurorehabilitation field with advancements in technology. Gaming technology provides subjects with task-oriented training, repetitive practice with high intensity, multi-sensory feedback information, and motivation for endurance practice. It offers a more accessible and cost-effective intervention compared to traditional physical therapy. However, few studies have investigated the effects of dual-task training using virtual reality (VR) in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). A recent systematic review (currently under review) found that VR dual-task training has shown weak effects. This may be due to previous studies utilizing generic VR games that were not tailored to the specific impairments associated with MS. Additionally, the immersive nature of VR may induce cyber sickness, causing discomfort similar to motion sickness.
In contrast to VR, Augmented Reality (AR) technology is emerging as a promising alternative in the field of rehabilitation. The use of AR in neurological rehabilitation has significantly expanded, offering a unique advantage by seamlessly combining motor and cognitive tasks. In AR, users interact with real environments enhanced by virtual objects relevant to daily activities, enabling effective motor-cognitive training with immediate feedback in a safe, controlled setting, crucial for improving rehabilitation outcomes. AR is also less overwhelming compared to other gaming technologies, as it does not provide a fully immersive experience, making it easier for patients who struggle with intense visual and sensory stimulation. Additionally, the flexibility of AR allows patients to engage in therapy at home, easily integrating it with everyday activities. This rehabilitation approach enhances the enjoyment of therapy, providing an interactive experience, which can improve long-term adherence, a vital factor for managing a progressive disease like MS, where maintaining function throughout all stages is essential. This project aims to support people with Long Term Neurological Conditions (LTNC) with complex needs as per MS to maintain mobility and cognitive function has potential to reduce dependence on residential services and acute hospital care. This proposed project also aligns with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society priorities and objectives which emphasize advancing innovative and emerging treatments that can slow and reverse MS. It has an important role to play in developing seamless programs for the management of people with LTNCs that focus on early intervention with better use of technology approaches in rehabilitation that can also form a sustainable resource to patient's self-management in the future.
3,264 studies on the registry are indexed under Multiple Sclerosis; 659 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 50 across 2,201 interventional studies indexed under Multiple Sclerosis.
Browse Multiple Sclerosis studies →University of Sharjah is the lead sponsor of 42 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Short tests of memory and thinking, each scored out of 30. Lower scores suggest more difficulty; criteria give a range, either to include people with memory problems or to leave them out.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
MMSE and MoCA
Short tests of memory and thinking, each scored out of 30. Lower scores suggest more difficulty; criteria give a range, either to include people with memory problems or to leave them out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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 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.
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
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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Balance - Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Balance assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. Report total score (0-56). Higher = better balance.
Time frame: Six weeks
Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale score (0-100%)
Balance confidence assessed using the ABC scale. Report total/mean percentage score (0-100%). Higher = greater confidence.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Five Times Sit-to-Stand test time (seconds)
Functional lower-limb performance assessed using five times chair sit-to-stand test. Report completion time in seconds. Lower = better.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) rating
Functional mobility assessed using the Functional Mobility Scale. Report FMS rating (per standard scoring). Higher = better mobility.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Biodex Balance System stability index (unit per device output)
Instrumented balance assessed using the Biodex Medical Balance System (Physiotherapy Laboratory, University of Sharjah). Report stability index as provided by the device. Interpret direction as per device metric (lower = better stability).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Daily step count measured by FIBION (steps/day)
Physical activity assessed using FIBION activity monitor worn 7 consecutive days / 24 h before and after intervention. Report mean daily step count over the monitoring period. Higher = more activity.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Modified Physical Activity Scale (M-PAS) score
Self-reported physical activity assessed using M-PAS. Report total score (per instrument scoring). Specify direction per scoring (higher = more activity).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) total score
Fall concern assessed using FES-I. Report total score (per instrument scoring). Higher = greater concern about falling (worse).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) total score
Fatigue assessed using MFIS. Report total score (per instrument scoring). Higher = worse fatigue impact.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Short Form-36 (SF-36) health-related quality of life score
Quality of life assessed using SF-36. Report domain scores and/or Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (per SF-36 scoring). Higher = better health status.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) score (0-21)
Anxiety symptoms assessed using HADS Anxiety subscale. Report subscale score (0-21). Higher = worse anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) score (0-21)
Depressive symptoms assessed using HADS Depression subscale. Report subscale score (0-21). Higher = worse depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 6 weeks
6-Minute Walk Test distance (meters)
Physical performance assessed using the 6-minute walking test. Report distance walked in meters. Higher = better walking endurance.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score (0-30)
Global cognitive function assessed using the MoCA. Report total score (0-30). Higher = better cognition.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score (correct responses)
Processing speed assessed using SDMT (BICAMS component). Report total correct responses (per scoring). Higher = better.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-II (HVLT-II) total recall score
Verbal learning/memory assessed using HVLT-II (BICAMS component). Report total recall score (per scoring). Higher = better.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) total recall score
Visuospatial memory assessed using BVMT-R (BICAMS). Report total recall score (per scoring). Higher = better memory.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Stroop test interference score (per protocol)
Inhibitory control assessed using the Stroop test. Report interference score. lower interference score = better
Time frame: 6 weeks
Start is estimated for Aug 2026; primary completion for Mar 2028, 19 months later.
Of 847 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Multiple Sclerosis, half reached primary completion within 22 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 43. This study's planned 19 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 869 studies reached it within 21 months; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 43.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Feb 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Sharjah