VRehab SMA V1.2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual targeted rehabilitation for patients with Spinal muscular atrophy: Phase 1.2: Proof-of-concept (VRehab-SMA project)
IRAS ID
363736
Contact name
Laurent/LS Servais
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder where muscles progressively weaken, severely impacting patients' motor abilities eg sitting or walking etc. Several disease modifying therapies have been developed to treat SMA which have led to new disease pathways. For example, previously patients who could not sit can now sit but still not walk. According to standard of care guidelines, exercise programs should be designed and monitored by a physical therapist and should include exercises to improve daily life activities. Exercises should be adapted to each patient and can be prescribed with an optimal frequency in various ways. However in a recent survey, of patients with SMA, only 20% report access to endurance exercises and only 6% report mixed exercises. This is due to manpower limitation and difficulties in engaging with young and sometimes highly disabled children.
To address this, we propose the development of an innovative, virtual targeted rehabilitation platform specifically designed for young patients with SMA. This technology aims to provide a patient-centric, at-home rehabilitation solution, enabling caregivers to facilitate daily exercises in a more accessible and enjoyable manner. This technology would involve the integration of augmented electromyography signals and soft robotic haptic devices into a game controlled by exercise/movement for children. By increasing the frequency and quality of exercise interventions at home, this technology has the potential to significantly address the critically unmet need for consistent rehabilitation and decrease the burden of hospital-based assessments.
This is a proof of concept study to assess patients with SMA desire to use the equipment and the potential benefit this can bring to patients by surveying SMA patients about technology and exercise and testing the current equipment in a lab setting.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0281
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion