Using short selfie videos to measure walking and speech changes in people with MS

"Selfie" Videos: A Novel, Patient-centered, Comprehensive Approach to Measuring Function in MS

University of California, San Francisco · NCT07222618

This project will test whether short selfie videos taken by people with MS can reliably show walking and speech changes similar to what clinicians see in person.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco (other)
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT07222618 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants will record five brief "selfie" videos at baseline and again at 3, 6, and 12 months and upload them through a secure web portal, while attending in-person visits at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for standard clinical measures. The approach uses participants' own devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) and focuses on low-burden, real-world capture of walking and speech. Investigators will compare remote video-derived measures to in-person exam findings to test feasibility, validity, and barriers to adoption. The team plans to share accessible protocols and metrics if the remote method proves reliable.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with a physician diagnosis of MS who are 18 or older, have EDSS under 6.5, can consent (or have a surrogate/LAR), and own a device capable of video recording are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with EDSS 6.5 or higher, those without any video-capable device or without a surrogate to provide consent, and patients whose important symptoms are not captured by walking or speech may not benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable low-cost, low-burden remote monitoring of walking and speech in MS so clinicians and researchers can track changes more frequently and accessibly.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from the investigators and related digital-biomarker work support feasibility and validity, but using patient-acquired selfie videos as a primary remote measure is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Any patient with MS who is above the age of 18 yrs. Participants who are unable to consent for themselves must have a surrogate decision maker or LAR.
* Age \> 18 yrs, EDSS - \<6.5, own a video recording device (smartphone, tablet, camera etc).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient unwilling to participate in the study. Participants unable to consent for themselves who do not have a surrogate decision maker or LAR.

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis - Relapsing-remitting, Multiple Sclerosis Primary Progressive, MS, Multiple Sclerosis Secondary Progressive, multiple sclerosis, digital tool, UCSF

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.