NCT07390201

Effect of Sensory Integration Therapy on Gait Variability and Quality Of Life in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Effect of Sensory Integration Therapy on Gait Variability and Quality Of Life in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 44 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the impact of sensory integration therapy on individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) by examining its effects on gait variability and overall quality of life.

Detailed description

Rehabilitation interventions within the neurorehabilitation domain (e.g. physiotherapy) have been shown to be beneficial in improving gait disorders in MS, functioning and QoL despite progression of MS. Several systematic reviews report on evidence of rehabilitation in general as well as on specific modalities, e.g. exercise. Therefore, development of affordable and convenient rehabilitation strategies must be emphasized. Studies report that sensory dysfunctions in patients with multiple sclerosis primarily play a key role in disrupting motor control and mobility including gait abnormalities, reduced balance, altered alignment, range of motion, and coordination. Only a handful of studies have analyzed the effects of external sensory stimulations (auditory, visual) on motor performance in patients with multiple sclerosis. Sensory inputs are a necessary component for motor control and movement performance. Interaction among somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems is essential for normal motor responses, balance control and mobility. Up to knowledge, there are lack of studies that investigate the effect of sensory integration therapy program on gait variability and quality of life in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. A study states that sensory integration therapy improves a children's capacity to analyze and integrate sensory data by incorporating various visual processing, kinesthetic awareness, tactile awareness, visuomotor coordination development, vestibular and proprioceptive activities. The goal of sensory integration therapy (SIT) is to improve the individual ability to integrate sensory information by strengthening each of the sensory systems (vestibular, proprioception and visual systems).

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Conventional physical therapy program	This group will undergo a conventional physical therapy program twice weekly for eight weeks (16 sessions), with each 70-minute session including rest as needed. Sessions consist of a 5-minute warm-up, an active phase with individualized moderate-intensity aerobic exercises (64-76% of maximum heart rate) such as marching and over-ground walking with progressive difficulty, along with lower-limb stretching and strengthening exercises. Each session ends with a 5-minute cool-down using gentle stretching or gradual reduction of activity to minimize stiffness and muscle soreness.
OTHER	Sensory integration therapy	This group will receive a combined program of conventional physical therapy (30 minutes) and sensory integration therapy (40 minutes) twice weekly for eight weeks (16 sessions, 70 minutes each). Sessions include a warm-up, active phase, and cool-down. Sensory integration therapy targets proprioceptive, visual, and vestibular inputs through progressively challenging balance and gait exercises under varied sensory conditions (eyes open/closed, firm or compliant surfaces), incorporating external and internal perturbations and barefoot gait training, with difficulty individualized and rest provided to prevent fatigue.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-05
• Primary completion: 2026-07-05
• Completion: 2026-07-20
• First posted: 2026-02-05
• Last updated: 2026-02-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt