Virtual reality could help spot thinking problems in MS patients
NCT ID NCT03768648
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This completed study looked at 75 people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who were taking the medication Aubagio. The goal was to see if virtual reality tests and real-world tasks could better detect cognitive (thinking) problems in everyday life compared to standard tests. Researchers also used advanced MRI scans to examine brain structure and connections. The study did not test a new treatment but aimed to improve how cognitive issues are identified and tracked in MS.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Aubagio (teriflunomide)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to better ways to detect and track cognitive problems in daily life for people with MS, using virtual reality tests.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study with no new treatment being tested. The results may not change current care, and the virtual reality tests may not prove more useful than standard assessments.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
75 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
May 2019
- Finished
-
Feb 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 60 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: PATIENTS * Male or female * Age 18-60 years * RRMS diagnosis according to McDonald criteria (Polman et al., 2005); * Treated with Aubagio® (Indication for first line therapy) * Native French speaking * Being affiliated to health insurance * Having signed an informed consent (at the latest on the day of inclusion and before any examination required by research) HEALTHY CONTROLS * Male or Female, * Age 18-60 years * Willing to participate and to sign informed consent. * Being affiliated to health insurance * Having signed an informed consent (at the latest on the day of inclusion and before any examination required by research) Exclusion Criteria: PATIENTS * History of neurological disease and/or other neurological diseases, * Psychiatric comorbidity including severe depression according to DSM-IV, * Alcohol or other addiction to toxic, * Disabling visual or motor problems preventing participation to neuropsychological assessments, * Acquisition disorders : Dyslexia, Dysphasia, Dyscalculia and dyspraxia, * Dosage change, stop or start of hypnotic or anxiolytic or antidepressive treatment less than 30 days * Relapse since less than one month, * Steroid treatment less than one month (be taken orally or by infusion) at the dosage of 500mg daily, * Prior neuropsychological testing with the same tests less than 6 months * Contra-indication to MRI (pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body, claustrophobia) or refusing MRI * Illiteracy, is unable to count or to read * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Patient concerned by articles L 1121-5 to L 1121-8 (persons deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision, minors, persons of legal age who are the object of a legal protection measure or unable to express their consent) HEALTHY CONTROLS * History of neurological disease and/or neurological diseases * Psychiatric comorbidity including severe depression according to DSM-IV; * Alcohol or other toxic addiction; * Known cognitive complaint or neuropsychological affection * Hypnotic or anxiolytic or antidepressive treatment, * Prior neuropsychological testing with the same tests less than 6 months * Acquisition disorders: Dyslexia, Dysphasia, Dyscalculia and dyspraxia, * Steroid treatment less than one month (be taken orally or by infusion) at the dosage of 500mg daily, * Contra-indication to MRI (pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body, claustrophobia) or refusing MRI * Illiteracy, is unable to count or to read * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Person concerned by articles L 1121-5 to L 1121-8 (persons deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision, minors, persons of legal age who are the object of a legal protection measure or unable to express their consent)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Multiple sclerosis, relapsing-remitting are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
CHU de Bordeaux - Service de neurologie
Bordeaux, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can diet ease the crushing fatigue of multiple sclerosis?
- Which MS treatment strategy preserves the brain better?
- Can a gentle electric zap to the brain restore memory in MS?
- Brain scans may reveal how MS drug affects mental fatigue
- Brain scans could reveal which MS drugs fight mental exhaustion
- Brain shrinkage as a crystal ball for MS progression?