Virtual Reality Dual Task Training in SCI: Effects on Cognition and Cortical Activation

Launched by ISTINYE UNIVERSITY · Jun 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how virtual reality (VR) training can help improve thinking skills and brain activity in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Many individuals with SCI face challenges not only with movement but also with cognitive tasks, which can make everyday activities and staying safe while walking more difficult. The study aims to see if a special VR game that combines physical and mental tasks can enhance both motor skills and cognitive function in participants.

To take part in this study, individuals need to be between 18 and 60 years old, have partial or complete paraplegia, and have had their injury for at least three months. They should also be able to move their shoulders. Participants will be divided into three groups: one will use VR while imagining themselves standing and walking, another will use VR without the walking imagery, and the last group will only do traditional exercises. The training will last for 12 sessions over six weeks. This research hopes to show how combining mental and physical rehabilitation can benefit those with SCI, potentially leading to better recovery methods in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Being between 18-60 years old
• • Having full or partial paraplegia
• • Having an injury level of T1 or below
• • Having at least 90° active shoulder flexion and abduction
• • Having at least 3 months since the injury
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Musculoskeletal pain greater than 5 out of 10 on the Visual Analog Scale
• • Patients who cannot sit in a chair for at least 30 minutes
• • Presence of deformities or color changes in joints that prevent upper extremity movements
• • Patients who have had fractures or operations on the upper extremity within the last 6 months
• • History of head trauma
• • Presence of a disease known to affect cognitive impairment
• • Severe deafness, blindness or significant physical illnesses that cause communication disorders and prevent patients from participating in the study
• • Presence of any known cardiovascular disease
• • Conditions in which virtual reality glasses are contraindicated (epilepsy; vertigo and similar severe movement disorders)
• • Patients with a history of stroke or progressive neurodegenerative disease
• • Patients with neuromuscular disease
• • Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy
• • Concurrent participation in other studies or treatments