Mental imagery and watching walking to improve walking in MS
Official title: Effects of Motor Imagery and Action Observation on Gait Initiation and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Multiple Sclerosis
Run by Hacettepe University · NCT07137624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether watching walking videos and imagining yourself walking can improve gait, walking speed, and muscle activation in people with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 3, 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 2026 |
| Study ends | November 2026 |
| Registry record updated | October 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07137624 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS who are not in relapse (past 3 months), have preserved cognition (MMSE ≥24), and do not have serious comorbidities, significant vision or hearing problems, or severe leg spasticity that would prevent participation.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with recent MS relapses, major cardiac/respiratory/metabolic illness, other neurological disorders, chronic pain, significant leg stiffness, or uncorrected vision/hearing impairments are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults with MS will be randomly assigned to an experimental group that watches walking videos while performing guided motor imagery or to a control group that watches nature videos without walking content. Baseline gait assessments and electromyography (EMG) recordings will be collected, and the same measures will be repeated after multiple intervention sessions to detect changes in stride length, walking speed, balance, and muscle activation. The intervention combines action observation with motor imagery as a non‑physical practice intended to influence neural control of walking. Outcomes will compare pre- and post-intervention gait parameters and EMG patterns between groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple, non-invasive adjunct to physical therapy to help improve walking and gait control in people with MS.
How similar studies have gone: Action-observation and motor-imagery approaches have shown promising but not definitive benefits for gait and motor control in stroke and Parkinson disease, with limited pilot data suggesting possible benefit in MS.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * A confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) by a neurologist * No history of relapse within the past 3 months and not currently experiencing a relapse * A score of 24 or higher on the standardized Mini Mental State Examination Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of serious health conditions affecting the muscles, heart, lungs, or metabolism that could interfere with participation * History of other neurological disorders, head injury, or chronic psychiatric conditions * Chronic pain lasting longer than six months * Significant muscle stiffness in the legs that may affect EMG recordings * Hearing difficulties * Vision problems as determined by the Snellen visual acuity test
Where it's running
-
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Merve Ünal, Res. Asst.
- Email: merveunal.144@gmail.com
- Phone: +905386582787
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.