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NCT Number: NCT07230015

Combined Motor Imagery and Vestibular Rehab for MS

This trial investigates the first combined use of motor imagery and vestibular rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis, aiming to evaluate their joint effect on balance, cognition, and quality of life.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gehad Salem Mohamed Mohamed Menshawi

Istanbul, Beykoz/İstanbul, 34810, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

gehad Salem Menshawi, PT, MSc (Cand.)

CONTACT

[email protected]

01040131964 ext. +905524590178

gehad menshawi, MSc (Cand.)

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

Multiple sclerosis often causes balance disturbance, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. Motor imagery and vestibular rehabilitation are established methods in MS care, but their effects have only been studied separately. This randomized controlled trial introduces a combined program of motor imagery and vestibular training to explore whether their integration provides broader benefits. The study will recruit patients with relapsing-remitting MS, apply an 8-week intervention, and compare outcomes in cognition, balance, physical performance, and quality of life against conventional therapy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Confirmed using McDonald Criteria
  • Patient diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
  • Mild MS between 0-3 according to PDDS.
  • Age from (18-45)
  • Mild cognitive impairment
  • Balance impairment (mild to moderate impairment)
  • Vestibular dysfunction Related to MS (dizziness, vertigo , gaze instability ) 8. Native language is Arabic to ensure clear communication during cognitive tasks and exercise instructions
  • Be able to joined the treatment (motor imagery, vestibular rehabilitaiton )

Exclusion criteria

Other neurological disorder, progressive multiple sclerosis Non-MS related vestibular disorders (e.g., BPPV, Meniere's disease) that would interfere with vestibular rehab.

Severe Psychiatric Conditions (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc) Sever balance disorder Sever fatigue Medical instability eg (cardiovascular disease, respiratory, infections, severe uncontrolled diabetes, or severe visual impairments.) Sever cognitive impairment Pregnant Advance disability ( wheelchair , unable to stand ) Use of Vestibular-Suppressing Medications Non - speaker Arabic

Treatment and study plan

Motor Imagery + Vestibular Rehabilitation group

Behavioral

This 8-week program, 3 sessions/week, 55- 60 min each, includes 4 steps:

Warm-up (5 min): Breathing exercises progressing from basic diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing (weeks 1-2), light movement with breathing (weeks 3-4), to Inspiratory Muscle Training device (weeks 5-8).

Motor Imagery (15 min): Foundational phase (weeks 1-2) imagining basic movements, skills building (weeks 3-4) with functional daily tasks, advanced phase (weeks 5-8) imagining complex tasks, environmental and cognitive challenges (e.g., sports, obstacle navigation, walking on uneven surfaces).

Vestibular Rehabilitation (15 min): Foundational (weeks 1-2) gaze stabilization and static balance (VOR, VSR, VCR), dynamic balance and dual-task exercises (weeks 3-6), advanced functional balance and vestibular-cognition integration (weeks 7-8).

Cool-down (10 min): Relaxation and symptom monitoring to prevent overexertion, dizziness, or fatigue.

Conventional therapy group

Behavioral

This 8-week program, 3 sessions/week, 55- 60 min each, includes:

Warm-up: Seated/standing marching, neck and shoulder stretching.

Strength & Functional Movements: Sit-to-stand, side leg raises, step-ups.

Core & Upper Body: Bridge exercise, seated core activation, seated leg lifts, wall push-ups, seated shoulder press.

Flexibility & Balance: Calf and hamstring stretches, spinal flexibility, single-leg stance, lunges, tandem walking.

Cool-down: Deep breathing and gentle stretching.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Cognitive Function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] Score)

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    It is a cognitive screening tool commonly used in clinics and research to assess individual cognitive impairment and its severity. It helps therapists evaluate a patient's cognitive function and identify changes over time by assessing mental capacity functions and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete., which includes Attention & Concentration, Executive Functions, Memory, Language, Visuospatial Skills and Orientation (19).

    • The test is scored out of 30 points.
    • A score of 26 or higher is considered normal.
    • Scores below 26 may indicate mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
  2. Change in Balance Berg Balance Scale [ABBS] Score)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

    To assess balance and fall risk in Arabic-speaking patients with neurological disorders, lower scores indicate more severe balance problems (23).

    • 41-56: Low fall risk
    • 21-40: Moderate fall risk.
    • 0-20: High fall risk."
  3. Change in Vestibular Function (Dynamic Visual Acuity [DVA] Test)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 8.

    DVA assesses visual acuity during head movement to evaluate vestibulo-ocular reflex integrity.It is a functional test designed to evaluate the integrity of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which stabilizes the eyes during head motion. DVA is commonly employed to detect vestibular dysfunction and is particularly useful for evaluating vestibular function in patients experiencing dizziness, balance disorders, or conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), where vestibular dysfunction is common

  4. Change in Vestibular Function (Head Impulse Test [HIT])

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 8

    Bedside assessment of semicircular canal/VOR function. Outcome recorded as presence/absence of corrective saccades and qualitative clinician rating of gain; improvement indicates better vestibular function.It is a clinical test used to identify deficits in the semicircular canals, especially the horizontal canal, and is useful for detecting peripheral vestibular deficits. It assesses the ability of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) to maintain stable vision during rapid, unpredictable head movements

  5. Change in Cognitive Function (Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS [BICAMS] Composite Score

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

    Cognition will be assessed using BICAMS (SDMT, CVLT-II, BVMT-R). A composite and subtest scores will be calculated; This test is valdiated in Egyption dialect. It is a specialized tool designed for patients with multiple sclerosis to assess their cognitive function. It is reliable, quick, and sensitive, making it useful for both clinical settings and research. The tool focuses on cognitive domains that are commonly affected in multiple sclerosis, such as memory, speed, and learning. It includes tests like the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II), and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R)

  6. Change in balance (Timed Up and Go [TUG] Time)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 8

    Seconds to stand up, walk 3 m, turn, return, and sit. Lower times indicate better mobility; ≥12 s suggests increased fall risk.

  7. Change in Disability Status (Patient-Determined Disease Steps [PDDS] Score)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 8.

    Self-reported disability (0-8); higher scores indicate greater disability.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Quality of Life (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 [MSIS-29]

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 8.

    The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) is a clinical tool used by patients to assess the impact of MS on their quality of life. The questionnaire consists of 29 questions and evaluates both physical and psychological well-being, helping to determine how MS affects daily life

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Gehad Salem menshawi, PT, MSc (Cand.)

CONTACT

[email protected]

+201040131964 ext. +905524590178

aliaa Salem menshawi, PT, MSc (Cand.)

CONTACT

[email protected]

+9055244212805

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medipol University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effectiveness of Combination of Motor Imagery and Vestibular Rehabilitation on Balance, Cognition, and Quality of Life in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Acronym: MIVR-MS

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 30, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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