Home virtual-reality walking program for children with chronic conditions that affect physical health

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The EMMVIES approach delivers a home-based walking training using virtual-reality games (immersive or non-immersive) on a treadmill, supported by parents, for children with chronic conditions that impair physical health. Participants must be able to walk for at least five minutes on a treadmill (with or without body-weight support or aids) and to engage with VR games and questionnaires. The protocol enrolls defined subgroups—children with cerebral palsy (GMFCS II–III), overweight/obese children aiming to increase activity, and children with neuromuscular or other chronic conditions—and integrates the program into ongoing condition-specific care. Initial setup and follow-up visits occur at the coordinating center in Angers, with the training sessions performed at home over the intervention period.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient aged 6 to 17 years at date of inclusion;
* Able to walk for 5 minutes on a treadmill with or without body weight support, with or without technical aids;
* Be able to understand and play virtual reality games (immersive or non-immersive);
* Be able to answer questionnaires;
* Patient affiliated to or benefiting from a social security scheme;
* Informed consent, dated and signed by parents or guardians (if minors), to participate in the study;
* Included in a care program specific to their chronic condition for at least 6 months;
* Meet the following criteria depending on the group:

PC group:

* Diagnosis of CP
* Functional level classified II or III according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
* Rehabilitation goal: improvement of gait and/or gross motor function

OB group:

* Overweight or obese, defined by a BMI above the IOTF-25 percentile
* Aim to increase daily physical activity
* No history of hip pathology

Group NM:

* Diagnosis of one of the following neuromuscular pathologies: spinal muscular atrophy type 3, Duchenne disease, congenital myopathy or Charcot Marie Tooth.
* Functional level of grade 2 to 6 on the Walton scale, or grade 3 to 7 on the Vignos scale
* Rehabilitation goal: improvement of walking and/or gross motor skills

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients weighing over 100 kg (due to the technical constraints of using the AMY mat).
* For children aged 6 to 11: in connection with the immersive virtual reality device: problems with stereoscopic vision (perception of images in 3 dimensions), unstabilized epilepsy, facial trauma \< 3 months, hearing or visual impairment, pain, dizziness or nausea caused by using immersive virtual reality.
* Patients who have undergone surgery in the last 3 months;
* Patients who have received intramuscular botulinum toxin injections in the lower limbs or intensive therapy in the 3 months prior to inclusion;
* Patient with a non-routine therapeutic program planned within 5 months that could lead to confusion with the tested program;
* Patient with insufficient understanding of the French language;
* Patient opposition (child or adolescent);
* Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision;
* Persons under compulsory psychiatric care;
* Persons under legal protection;

Where it's running

• Les Capucins
  Angers, France Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mickaël DINOMAIS, MD
• Email: Mickael.Dinomais@chu-angers.fr
• Phone: + 33 2 41 35 52 67

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Ocular Changes in People Using Tirzepatide or Semaglutide

  This study checks whether eye structure and blood vessels change in adults with obesity who are taking semaglutide or tirzepatide as part of routine care.

  Recruiting Istanbul University · Istanbul, Istanbul · NCT07924618

• Whole-Body Vibration Training in Women With Obesity With and Without Type 2 Diabetes

  This study tests whether eight weeks of supervised whole-body vibration training changes ankle muscle activity and walking performance in women with obesity, comparing those with and without type 2 diabetes.

  Recruiting Pamukkale University · Denizli · NCT07924436

• Sensory Integration Therapy vs Conventional Physical Therapy in Children With Mixed Cerebral Palsy

  This study tests whether Sensory Integration Therapy helps improve gross motor function more than standard physical therapy in children aged 4–10 with mixed cerebral palsy.

  Recruiting Riphah International University · Peshawar, Kpk · NCT07921069

• Berobenatide for knee pain in adults who are overweight or with obesity

  This study tests berobenatide vs. placebo to see if it reduces knee pain and improves function while helping with weight in adults with knee osteoarthritis and overweight/obesity.

  Recruiting at 7 sites Phase 3 Pfizer · Tempe, Arizona and 39 other locations · NCT07919678

• Weekly berobenatide for knee osteoarthritis in adults who are overweight or obese

  This study tests whether weekly berobenatide helps reduce knee pain and improve function, while also affecting body weight, in adults with knee osteoarthritis who are overweight or obese (with or without type 2 diabetes).

  Recruiting Phase 3 Pfizer · Birmingham, Alabama and 3 other locations · NCT07915609

• Maridebart cafraglutide in people who switched from weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists

  This study tests how much maridebart cafraglutide appears in the blood after people with overweight or obesity switch from weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists.

  Recruiting at 9 sites Phase 1 Amgen · Phoenix, Arizona and 8 other locations · NCT07908316

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.