Steenokkerzeel

Researchers are investigating how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) perceive their motor performance compared to healthy individuals. The study focuses on understanding perceptive abilities during prolonged functional tasks like walking and repeatedly standing up from a seated position. By comparing self-reported perceptions and actual performance, the study aims to identify specific deficits in people with MS that could help tailor additional interventions beyond standard care. Participants will complete two main experimental tasks over a maximum of three days. The first task involves walking at maximum speed for six minutes and reporting perceived changes in speed or smoothness using a handheld haptic device. The second task requires repeated sit-to-stand transitions at a fixed pace, again reporting perception changes. A second work package includes treadmill walking with imposed speed changes and sit-to-stand transitions with adjustable chair heights to assess perceptive accuracy for externally imposed variations. Wearable sensors will objectively record motor performance during all tasks. During the study, participants will provide demographic information and complete questionnaires on physical activity, sleep, self-efficacy, mood, symptoms, fatigue, and body perception. Motor and cognitive tests will be performed, including walking speed, balance, memory, and proprioception assessments. Fatigue levels will be measured before and after tasks. Researchers will compare reported perceptions with actual performance to assess sensitivity, detection accuracy, and correspondence accuracy in motor tasks.

Researchers are evaluating whether wearing a full-body electrical stimulation suit at home can help people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who experience muscle stiffness (spasticity) or coordination problems (ataxia) improve their symptoms and daily function. The study compares two groups: one using the stimulation suit along with their usual care, and a control group receiving only their usual care. This multi-center trial assesses the effects of the suit over a 6-week period. Participants in the intervention group will wear the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit, a specialized device that delivers low-energy electrical pulses to 40 targeted muscle groups. They will wear the suit every day or every other day for 6 weeks total—starting with 1 week in the MS center and continuing with 5 weeks at home. The suit settings are personalized by trained medical staff based on individual assessments. The control group will continue their usual rehabilitation care without using the suit. Throughout the study, all participants will undergo clinical tests at the MS center after 1 week and 6 weeks to measure symptoms and function using standardized scores. Researchers will track changes in hand dexterity and coordination using specific tests like the NHPT and SSST. The study includes careful monitoring of safety and symptom changes, with a focus on how well the suit may support people with MS in managing spasticity and ataxia over time.

Researchers are evaluating a home-based combined cognitive and motor training program to improve cognition in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to compare this combined program with single cognitive or motor rehabilitation approaches. The trial also seeks to assess effects on walking performance and to explore the brain changes and factors that predict how well patients respond to the treatment. This is a randomized controlled trial conducted at two centers using telemedicine to deliver the intervention. Participants will engage in a computerized cognitive training program called RehaCom, which includes modules targeting working memory. They will train at home on their computers without direct therapist supervision. The cognitive training sessions last 45 minutes and occur one or two days per week for 12 weeks. For motor training, patients follow a tailored aerobic exercise program with activities chosen based on their baseline fitness level. Training time totals 90 minutes per week for the motor-only group and 45 minutes per week for the combined group, spread over at least two sessions. Physical activity is tracked using a sport watch with heart rate and movement sensors. Participants will be monitored with structural MRI and EEG scans before and after rehabilitation to study brain changes. Researchers will also measure working memory improvements using the digit span backwards test at multiple time points up to 64 weeks. Physical activity logs, heart rate, and perceived exertion scales will be used to assess adherence and training intensity. The study includes safety assessments and aims to identify mechanisms and predictors of treatment response over the course of the trial.