Recruiting

Virtual Reality

Sponsor:

Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA

Code:

NCT07927439

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Treadmill-integrated virtual reality gait training

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study will test whether a treadmill-based virtual reality walking program is safe, practical, and helpful for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will complete a 6-week training program and wear smart socks that measure how they walk before, during, and after the program. The study will also track changes in balance, fatigue, fall risk, fear of falling, confidence with walking, and overall quality of life.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Study ID

NCT07927439

Start date

Jul 31, 2026

Status verified date

Nov, 2026

Completion date

Apr 27, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Apr 27, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Have a clinically confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Demonstrate ≥10% variability in stride length, step length, or gait asymmetry.
  • Can ambulate without an assistive device, with a unilateral, or with a bilateral assistive device.
  • Demonstrate no more than mild cognitive impairment, indicated by the Mini-Mental State Exam (score >19).
  • Possess adequate cognitive function to understand and follow research instructions.
  • Be able to safely participate in the study and training procedures as determined by study staff.
  • Be fluent in English and able to communicate discomfort, fatigue, or pain in English.
  • Be able to travel to Shepherd Center to complete key assessment points in-person and for in-person training sessions twice per week.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Have a diagnosis of any other neurological condition or recent orthopedic conditions that affects gait, balance, or mobility.
  • Exhibit <10% variability in stride length, step length, or gait asymmetry.
  • Are unable to ambulate (i.e. wheelchair bound or bedbound individuals).
  • Have legal blindness or severe visual impairment that would interfere with virtual reality engagement or safe ambulation.
  • Have a body weight exceeding 300 lbs., which exceeds the safety limits of the treadmill and body weight support system.
  • Have uncontrolled or untreated hypertension, hypotension, or angina.
  • Have a past or current history of epilepsy or any other type of seizure disorder, whether controlled or uncontrolled.
  • Have undergone major surgery within the past 6 months or hospitalization within the past 3 months.

Study Design

Enrollment

10 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Arm 1

Gait training

Interventions

Treadmill-integrated virtual reality gait training

6-week training program with 2 training sessions each week

Primary outcome measure

  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]
  • Spatiotemporal metrics of gait [ Time Frame: Initial visit to the end of the program in 12 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Julie F Stowell, DPT

4046035049julie.stowell@shepherd.org

Locations

Shepherd Center

Recruiting

Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30309

Contacts

Julie F Stowell, DPT

404-603-5049julie.stowell@shepherd.org

Principal Investigator:

Julie F Stowell, DPT

More Information

Sponsor

Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA

Last update posted

Nov 10, 2026

Last verified

Nov, 2026

Keywords

  • walking
  • gait
  • fear of falling
  • balance
  • spatiotemporal metrics
  • treadmill training
  • virtual reality

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-11-11. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA on 2026-11-10. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.