Dual-task training with Virtual RealityCycling training
Dual-task training with Virtual Reality: Participants perform cycling training using a commercially available ergometer combined with a non-immersive virtual reality system. Virtual Reality offers cognitive exercises targeting attention, inhibition, working memory, and navigation during cycling.
Cycling training: Participants perform standard cycling training without virtual reality-based tasks
Study summary
The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and motivational impact of VirtualPark, a virtual reality-based dual-task rehabilitation system, in adults with neurological and age-related conditions.
VirtualPark is a virtual reality application designed to deliver cognitive exercises during cycling training using a commercially available ergometer (THERA-Trainer Tigo). The system integrates physical and cognitive tasks in simulated real-life environments.
The intervention integrates motor and cognitive training tasks targeting domains such as attention, inhibition, working memory, and navigation.
This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, cross-over pilot study. It will compare cycling training performed with and without virtual reality. Participants will complete both intervention conditions over a 4-week period separated by a wash-out phase with standard rehabilitation activities. The order of conditions will be randomized.
The study will assess motivation during rehabilitation training, usability and user experience of the system, as well as exploratory effects on cognitive and motor performance, functional abilities, perceived exertion, and safety.
The study will enroll adult participants (≥18 years) with conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, mild cognitive impairment, spinal cord injury, and frail older adults.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Informed consent to the study
* subjects \> 18 years and \<85 years
* diagnosis of MCI according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders VTh Edition (DSM V TR American Psychological Association 2013)
* detection of ischemic stroke within 6 months preceding the study, frail elderly subjects (Gobbens RJ et al. 2010)
* subjects affected by idiopathic Parkinson's disease according to the MDS-PD criteria (Postuma et al., 2015)
* subjects affected by possible, probable and definite ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria (Brooks Br, et al. 2000)
* subjects affected by MS according to the McDonald criteria (2017) with disability measured with the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) \<= 8
* patients with spinal cord injury of different etiology with incomplete spinal cord injury, AIS (ASIA impairment scale) grade C and D, MMSE \>18
* subjects naïve to the use of the RV
* no therapeutic changes or rehabilitation interventions in the month prior to inclusion in the study
* no ongoing behavioral disorders.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Other concomitant neurological pathologies in addition to the one under study
* presence of visual disturbances that do not allow access to the experimental virtual reality protocol
* presence of impaired cardiorespiratory function or other organic instabilities that contraindicate ergometer training
* severe osteoporosis
Primary outcome measure(s)
Intrinsic Motivation — Baseline, Week 2, Week 5 It is evaluated with the Interest/Enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). It is a part of a questionnaire, composed of 7 items to be answered on a 7-point Likert scale. For each statement, participants must provide a level of agreement on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 equals "strongly disagree" and 7 equals "strongly agree." . Total scores range from 7 to 49, with higher scores indicating greater intrinsic motivation and enjoyment during rehabilitation training.
Motivation — Baseline, Week 2, Week 5 the patient's motivational spectrum is assessed using the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), a self-report questionnaire. It consists of 16 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale and investigates four factors: intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and amotivation. For each statement, participants must provide a level of agreement on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 equals "strongly disagree" and 7 equals "strongly agree." . Total scores range from 4 to 28 on each subscale, with higher scores indicating greater presence of that type of motivation towards rehabilitation activity.
Trial sites (7)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Istituti a Carattere Scientifico Maugeri Bari
Bari
Bari
Istituti a Carattere Scientifico Maugeri Telese
Telese Terme
Benevento
Centro di Riabilitazione Villa Beretta
Costa Masnaga
Lecco
Istituti a Carattere Scientifico Maugeri Milano Camaldoli
Milan
Milano
Istituti a Carattere Scientifico Maugeri Montescano
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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