NCT06495138

Incremental Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Adaptation as a Novel Treatment for Dizziness in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Daily Versus Intermittent Incremental Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Adaptation as a Novel Treatment for Dizziness in People With Multiple Sclerosis

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 138 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Emory University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 89 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The study aims to study the effects of a novel treatment for vestibular symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis. The main objective is to determine whether daily personalized gaze stabilization training is more beneficial than intermittent gaze stability training in people with multiple sclerosis.

Detailed description

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience dizziness, caused by problems in how their brain processes balance signals. This dizziness can lead to difficulties keeping their eyes focused on a target while moving their head, known as gaze instability. This makes activities like walking or driving challenging and dangerous. Vestibular physical therapy, including gaze stabilization exercises, can help. The team developed StableEyes, a technology that improves gaze stability using a gradual approach to these exercises. In the studies, StableEyes significantly enhanced gaze stability in people with balance issues. Preliminary research in people with MS shows promising results, suggesting that tailored gaze stability exercises can further improve their vision stability. This method targets the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), a critical reflex for maintaining clear vision during head movements. Improved VOR function can reduce dizziness and improve the quality of life for people with MS.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	StableEyes	Gaze stabilization exercises using the StableEyes device for the incremental vestibular-ocular reflex adaptation approach. The StableEyes device consists of a lightweight head unit with a 9-dimension inertial measurement unit and electrostatic micro-mirror that dynamically controls the 2-dimensional position of a 1-milliwatt red laser projected on a wall 1 meter in front of the subject. StableEyes is controlled via a lightweight control unit with a touchscreen interface tethered by cable to the head unit.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-21
• Primary completion: 2026-09-01
• Completion: 2027-03-01
• First posted: 2024-07-10
• Last updated: 2025-07-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study