Clinical trials

Background: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) often results in persistent emotional, cognitive, and somatic symptoms-such as headaches and dizziness. These symptoms impose a significant burden, yet their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Predictive processing theories suggest that persistent symptoms may result from learned perceptual errors, particularly in individuals with high negative affectivity. This framework may help explain ongoing persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) in the absence of identifiable pathology, which have been linked to various psychological factors. Mental imagery (MI) is thought to engage similar predictive processes. There is evidence that MI of symptom-triggering movements may exacerbate symptoms in individuals with chronic somatic conditions. However, this phenomenon has not been studied in PPCS patients. Investigating symptom provocation through MI may yield novel insights into the neuropsychological mechanisms sustaining PPCS and potentially contribute to the development of therapeutic tools for this population. Objectives: 1. Documenting the exacerbation of headache and dizziness following provocative mental imagery (imagery of movements or scenarios that elicit these symptoms in real life) in patients with PPCS. 2. Comparing changes in headache and dizziness after provocative MI versus neutral MI (imagery of movements or scenarios that do not elicit these symptoms in real life). 3. Comparing patients who experience symptom exacerbation following mental imagery to those who do not. 4. Describing associations between symptom exacerbation and negative affectivity, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, and lower daily functioning. Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted on adult patients experiencing PPCS following mTBI. Participants will be recruited through convenience sampling from a computerized hospital database of Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After signing an informed consent form, participants will be invited to attend 2 to 3 sessions, each lasting 1 to 2 hours. During these sessions, a licensed physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive clinical assessment, including: Completion of self-report questionnaires; A vestibular examination; Anamnestic interview and clinical assessment of individual movement- and scenario-related triggers for dizziness and headaches; Symptom provocation testing using mental imagery of the identified triggers.

Stroke and traumatic brain injury frequently result in persistent upper and lower limb motor impairment. While conventional rehabilitation improves outcomes, patient adherence and training intensity remain limiting factors. Immersive virtual reality (VR)-based therapy may enhance neuroplasticity by delivering high-intensity, task-oriented motor practice with enriched sensory feedback. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of the 6Degrees MyMove interactive VR system compared to passive VR exposure in individuals undergoing subacute inpatient rehabilitation after stroke or traumatic brain injury. Sixty participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either interactive VR-based motor training or passive VR viewing, in addition to standard rehabilitation care, three times weekly for eight weeks. The primary objective is to determine whether interactive VR leads to greater improvement in motor function compared to passive VR. Secondary outcomes include dexterity, gait speed, functional independence, psychological status, adherence, usability, and safety.