Clinical Research Directory

Virtual Reality-Enhanced Behavioral Activation for Older Adults With Depression

The primary aims of this study are to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of using an immersive virtual reality (VR) headset to engage in behavioral activation (BA) for older adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). The secondary aim of this study is to explore the efficacy of using VR to enhance BA therapy in a clinical MDD older adult population.

Immersive Virtual Reality in Cognitive Rehabilitation of Patients With Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing immersive virtual reality (VR) in cognitive rehabilitation for adults with post-stroke cognitive impairment receiving outpatient therapy. Participants will use a head-mounted display and interactive software to engage in gamified cognitive exercises that simulate memory, attention, and executive function tasks. The intervention consists of 10 sessions, delivered two to three times per week over a period of approximately four weeks. The study will assess multiple feasibility indicators, including the recruitment rate based on eligibility criteria, the safety and tolerability of VR sessions for participants, and the usability and satisfaction reported by occupational therapists administering the intervention. Additionally, exploratory outcomes include changes in global cognition and specific cognitive domains, as well as self-reported quality of life. Adverse effects related to VR use will be tracked. This pilot study will help inform the design and implementation of future, larger-scale clinical trials.

Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Structured Foot-Ankle Sensorimotor Training in Stroke Patients

Stroke, one of the central nervous system (CNS) disorders, is a global public health problem due to its high mortality rate and level of physical and mental disability. It is the leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer and one of the most important causes of disability worldwide. After a stroke, motor and sensory disorders, activity and participation limitations and various complications related to these are observed in the lower extremities. As a result of these losses, balance, mobility and gait abnormalities lead to a decrease in quality of life and fall problems. In recent years, the use of robot-assisted rehabilitation in physiotherapy has increased significantly with the support of engineering studies. Robotic and technology-supported trainings enable rehabilitation to be carried out at high intensity and repetition, treatment to be adapted according to the needs of the patient, patient exercise performance to be objectively monitored continuously, customized treatment protocols to be implemented and patients to be motivated with virtual reality technology. Platform-based end effector robots used for ankle rehabilitation in the lower extremity after stroke allow active and passive joint range of motion training to be performed. In addition to such motor trainings, adding sensory (vibrotactile) localization and cognitive trainings to the treatment improves sensory-motor-cognitive integration. In this context, with the proposed robot-assisted structured foot-ankle sensorimotor training protocol: 1. Vibration and sensory localization training applied for correct stepping on the sole of the foot (plantar) and correct pressure distribution, 2. Passive range of motion training supported by virtual reality, 3. Position sense training, 4. Active range of motion training supported by virtual reality and the "Assist-as-needed-AAN" control paradigm, 5. Vibration and sensory localization training applied for correct stepping on the sole of the foot (plantar) and correct pressure distribution, a holistic foot-ankle rehabilitation consisting of 5 stages of sensory-motor-cognitive training will be performed. The aim of the project is to investigate the effectiveness of our structured training protocol, which includes sensory, motor and cognitive integration for foot-ankle rehabilitation, which we created with a robot-assisted foot-ankle system, in stroke patients. Our project aims to improve the tone, range of motion, joint position sense, walking performance, static and dynamic balance control, tactile perception levels and quality of life of the ankle movement and muscles (dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles) that are impaired after stroke. It is also aimed to bring a robot-assisted structured foot-ankle training protocol to the literature.

Assessment and Treat Neglect Patients With a VR Application

The objective of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of neglect training in our self-developed VR application "SpatialSense". The investigators aim to reach the following goals: i. Compare conventional neglect therapy for neglect training with SpatialSense to evaluate the impacts on neglect recovery to see whether the VR therapy improves the clinical outcomes, such as balance recovery, perception of verticality, quality of life, independence in daily activities, and cognitive impairment, after rehabilitation training. ii. Analyze and compare the search strategies employed by stroke patients with VSN and those without VSN during the execution of the search task with SpatialSense to summarize typical visual scanning strategies for facilitation, rehabilitation training, and improving the transfer effect in daily activities. The experimental group will receive both conventional OT and PT treatment, but 3 days a week, half an hour of conventional treatment will be replaced by treatment with SpatialSense software. The control group will receive their regular dose-matched conventional OT and PT sessions without interference. The experimental group will receive SpatialSense training 3 times a week for a consecutive 4 weeks (12 sessions in total of 30 minutes).

The Effect of Motor Image Training on Balance Performance in Geriatric Individuals

The goal of this study \[type of study: clinical trial\] is to was planned to investigate the effect of motor imagery training given to geriatric individuals with action observation on their balance performance and to compare these two methods. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is virtual reality-based balance training given together with action observation and motor imagery for six weeks in geriatric individuals more effective in improving static balance than virtual reality-based balance training given alone? 2. Is virtual reality-based balance training given together with action observation and motor imagery for six weeks in geriatric individuals more effective in improving dynamic balance than virtual reality-based balance training given alone? 3. Is virtual reality-based balance training given together with motor imagery for six weeks in geriatric individuals more effective in increasing balance confidence than virtual reality-based balance training given alone? 46 geriatric individuals will be randomized into 2 groups. Along with action observation, motor imagery training and virtual reality-based balance training will be given to the study group. On the other hand, only virtual reality-based balance training will be given to the control group. All assessments will be repeated before and after the trainings. The trainings will be applied 2 days a week for 6 weeks. Each training session; 25 minutes for the control group and 45 minutes for the study group.

The Effect of Virtual Reality Applications

Thyroid nodules are a common health problem in the adult population. The majority of cancers are diagnosed by thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy. Thyroid nodules generally show clinical findings in 1-5% of cases on physical examination and 20-70% on ultrasound examination. In diagnosis; Ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration biopsy, ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy, scintigraphy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are widely used. The fact that the thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy procedure is painful, there is no speaking or coughing during the procedure, and in case of insufficient sample, the procedure must be performed several times. Its repetition causes fear and anxiety in patients. A combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods for pain control likely provides the most effective pain relief for the patient. Distraction is one of the non-pharmacological methods used in pain control. Distraction is one of the most preferred methods to reduce pain in patients during diagnosis and treatment procedures. It is a method that allows patients to control and reduce the symptoms they experience by focusing their attention on a different point.The aim of this study is to examine the effect of using a motivational video with virtual reality glasses to distract attention during the biopsy procedure on pain, stress and fear in individuals with suspected thyroid cancer.

Technological Based Rehabilitation on Individuals With Rheumatic Disease

Affects such as pain, swelling, tenderness, deformities, limitations, strength and function losses, skill and coordination deficiencies in the hand joints, which are frequently seen in rheumatism patients with hand involvement, are included in body structure and function disorders within the framework of International Classification of Function System. Leap Motion Controller is used in hand rehabilitation because it is small in size, low-cost, portable, non-contact, easy to use and provides visual and auditory feedback. The aim of our study is to examine the effect of technology-based rehabilitation on joint range of motion, grip strength, functionality and disease activity in adult individuals with rheumatic disease with hand involvement; and also to compare these effects with the effects of the hand rehabilitation program implemented under the guidance of a physiotherapist and the control group that continues its routine life.