Mixed reality, an ally of physiotherapy in multiple sclerosis

Irene Vega

Mixed reality environments (MR or MR) Mixed Reality) are digital spaces where the physical world and the virtual world are combined, so that both coexist and interact in real time.

Using these new technologies, a research team at URJC, led by Professor Roberto Cano de la Cuerda, is studying the clinical effects of these digital environments for treating upper limb impairments in people with multiple sclerosis. They are also analyzing the relationship between retraining simulated activities linked to everyday tasks performed in various locations within a home and a conventional physiotherapy program. “The goal is to validate mixed reality software that is user-friendly, useful, well-tolerated, and effective, since upper limb involvement in this disease is very common and has received less attention in terms of scientific research,” emphasizes the project's principal investigator.

Currently, the project is in its first of three planned years and already has significant milestones, such as the favorable report from the ethics committee and the authorization from the Leganés Multiple Sclerosis Association to carry out the interventions in its facilities.

In addition, the study has been registered in the international database of clinical trials ClinicalTrials and a co-designed study has been completed. with , through the company Constant Wave SL, based on the performance of manual activities linked to rooms and everyday objects in a house, also taking into account the perspective of people with this disease.

The trial proposes a comparative study between two forms of treatment for people with multiple sclerosis. One group will undergo conventional physiotherapy combined with the innovative mixed reality system designed by the research team, while the other will receive only traditional physiotherapy. The treatment will be carried out over 10 weeks, with two one-hour sessions per week.

Mixed reality recreates everyday spaces such as a kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, or terrace/garden, where participants perform manual activities similar to those of daily life. Before and after treatment, and after a one-month follow-up, aspects such as hand and arm mobility and strength, dexterity, fatigue, functionality, quality of life, and experience using the technology will be evaluated to determine if this approach improves rehabilitation.

The URJC leads, coordinates, and supervises all work packages of the project through its principal investigator, Roberto Cano de la Cuerda, Professor in the Department of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine. He collaborates with two researchers from the same department, Professors Sofía Laguarta Val and Carmen Jiménez Antona. The Complutense University of Madrid, the European University of Madrid, Villanueva University, and the Leganés Multiple Sclerosis Association are also participating in this project. In total, the team consists of eight researchers, all physiotherapists specializing in neurological physiotherapy.

Furthermore, the project was awarded in the 6th Call for Research Grants of the Illustrious Professional Association of Physiotherapists of the Community of Madrid and is associated with a doctoral thesis registered in the EID of the URJC of Ms. María Fernández Cañas, under the direction of Dr. Selena Marcos Antón (Villanueva University) and Dr. Roberto Cano de la Cuerda (URJC).

National and international presence

The initial results have had a significant impact in the academic and scientific community, both nationally and internationally. The principal investigator, Roberto Cano de la Cuerda, participated as an invited speaker at the III International Congress of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, held in Arequipa, Peru, from April 16-19, 2026, where he presented the project's main advances and the resulting scientific publications.

At this forum, the URJC professor gave two presentations entitled “Extended Reality in the Treatment of Adult Neurological Patients” and “Economic Studies on Neurorehabilitation with Robotic and Virtual Reality Systems in Neurological Pathologies.” He also offered a practical workshop on serious games for the treatment of upper limb disorders in people with neurological conditions. serious games Serious games are digital tools designed for therapeutic and educational purposes that, through game-like dynamics, allow for the training of sensorimotor and/or cognitive functions in safe, interactive, and motivating environments. These dynamics contribute to improved treatment adherence and facilitate personalized rehabilitation.

During its first year of implementation, this project has also been present at the XI Neurorehabilitation and Motor Control Conference of the URJC and at the IV Research Conference in Neurological Physiotherapy of the UCLM, thus consolidating its visibility and social impact.