How VR Can Make a Virtual Body Feel Real

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

This is a prospective, single-center, interventional study at IRCCS Eugenio Medea in Italy. It compares several VR-based embodiment methods—visuo-tactile stimulation, heart-rate–linked biofeedback, varying levels of active control, and familiarity with actions—to see how they influence embodiment in healthy volunteers and people with acquired neurological injuries. Participants undergo three experimental days with different VR conditions and complete a reaction-time task to measure embodiment-related performance changes. The study includes both typically developing individuals and those with spinal cord injury or stroke, with enrollment limited by age and cognitive screening. Safety and feasibility are monitored as part of the protocol.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 12 to 50 years
* Typically developing participants (healthy volunteers) OR participants with spinal cord injury OR participants with history of stroke
* Score ≥ 7 on the "Vocabulary" subtest of WISC (for minors) or WAIS (for adults)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of epilepsy or epileptic seizures
* Poor head control
* Visual acuity not correctable with glasses

Where it's running

• IRCCS Eugenio Medea
  Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Emilia Biffi, PhD Eng — IRCCS Eugenio Medea (Associazione La Nostra Famiglia)
• Study coordinator: Emilia Biffi, PhD Eng
• Email: emilia.biffi@lanostrafamiglia.it
• Phone: +39 031 877862

Similar studies

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

• Gait and Achilles Tendon Properties in Spastic Paresis

  This study tests how the Achilles tendon and calf muscle function during walking in people with spastic weakness after stroke or spinal cord injury, compared with healthy individuals.

  Recruiting Nantes University Hospital · Nantes · NCT07467382

• Spatial StimelMD for upper-limb recovery after stroke or traumatic brain injury

  This trial will test whether adding the Spatial StimelMD device to standard rehabilitation helps adults with upper-limb weakness after stroke or traumatic brain injury improve arm movement.

  Recruiting Motion Informatics LTD · Haifa · NCT07404761

• Combining non-invasive brain and spinal cord stimulation to improve arm and hand function

  This study tests whether pairing non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) with spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) during a cognitive-motor task can improve sensorimotor and cognitive-motor function in people with cervical spinal cord injury or stroke compared with each stimulation alone or sham.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 2 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France · Bordeaux and 1 other locations · NCT07334977

• Neuro20 electrical stimulation suit to improve autonomic control, muscle performance, and walking after amputation or neurologic injury

  This will test whether wearing the Neuro20 electrical stimulation suit helps people at least one week after an amputation or neurologic injury (stroke, spinal cord injury, or brain injury) improve autonomic function, muscle strength, and walking.

  Recruiting Brooks Rehabilitation · Jacksonville, Florida and 1 other locations · NCT07164846

• Targeting the plantaris tendon during surgery to correct ankle equinus in children

  This trial tests whether cutting the small plantaris tendon, together with standard calf-lengthening surgery, helps children aged 4–17 with ankle equinus walk and use their feet better.

  Recruiting University of Alberta · Edmonton, Alberta · NCT07090057

• Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke

  This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.

  Recruiting The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health · Heidelberg, Victoria and 1 other locations · NCT07019493

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.