Becker Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trials

Find Becker Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trials Near You

The Effect of Virtual Reality Applications on Upper Extremity Functions in Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral, Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This study aims to evaluate the effects of fully immersive virtual reality (VR) applications on upper extremity (UE) functions in individuals diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that leads to muscle weakness and loss of function, including the upper limbs, which are essential for daily activities and independence. In this randomized controlled trial, 36 participants with DMD will be divided into two groups: a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy and an intervention group receiving the same physiotherapy program (excluding upper extremity exercises) combined with VR-based exercises. The VR games will be designed specifically to improve shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand functions and will be delivered using Meta Quest 3 headsets with hand-tracking capabilities. Both groups will receive therapy twice a week for 8 weeks. Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention, and at follow-up, using validated tools to measure UE function, grip strength, fine motor skills, trunk control, fatigue, quality of life, and participation in daily activities. The study aims to explore innovative rehabilitation strategies for DMD and contribute to improving the independence and quality of life of affected individuals.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Male
Minimum Age: 7
Maximum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Clinical diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

• Age ≥ 7 years

• Ambulatory or non-ambulatory status (both are eligible)

• Ability to follow movement instructions

• Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Rating Scale (BUEFS) level ≤ 4 (i.e., able to bring hand to mouth)

Locations
Other Locations
Turkey
İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi
RECRUITING
Istanbul
Contact Information
Primary
Sahra Şirvan Tongar, MSc.
csahrasirvan@gmail.com
+905319249229
Backup
Yonca Zenginler Yazgan, Associate Professor
y.zenginleryazgan@iuc.edu.tr
+905326006294
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-08-15
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-08-15
Participants
Target number of participants: 36
Treatments
Experimental: Virtual Reality + Conventional Physiotherapy
Participants in this group will receive a conventional physiotherapy program excluding upper extremity (UE) functional exercises. In addition, they will participate in immersive virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation sessions using a Meta Quest 3 headset. The VR intervention includes three custom-designed games targeting shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand movements. These sessions will be administered twice weekly for 8 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. Games are tailored to each participant's functional level and designed to enhance motivation, participation, and UE motor function.
Active_comparator: Conventional Physiotherapy
Participants in this group will receive a conventional physiotherapy program including aerobic exercises, strengthening, stretching, posture training, breathing exercises, and functional upper extremity exercises. The sessions will be delivered by physiotherapists twice per week for 8 weeks, each lasting approximately 40 minutes. No virtual reality intervention will be provided in this group.
Sponsors
Leads: Istanbul University

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov