Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42057901›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in neuroscience2026

Immersive virtual reality as a novel approach to improve social cognition in multiple sclerosis: an EEG-based pilot study.

Maria Grazia Maggio, Serena Dattola, Salvatore Bertino, Simona De Salvo, Elvira Gjonaj, Antonino Lombardo Facciale, Luca Pergolizzi, Lilla Bonanno, Federica Impellizzeri, Luana Billeri and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in neuroscience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Maria Grazia MaggioNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Serena DattolaNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Salvatore BertinoNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Simona De SalvoNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Elvira GjonajNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Antonino Lombardo FaccialeNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Luca PergolizziNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Lilla BonannoNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Federica ImpellizzeriNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Luana BilleriAzienda Ospedaliera Papardo, Contrada Papardo, Messina, Italy.
Paolo De PasqualeNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Angelo QuartaroneNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Rocco Salvatore CalabròNeurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects different cognitive domains, including social cognition. Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) may provide a novel rehabilitative approach to treat motor and cognitive symptoms of MS. This exploratory pilot study evaluated the effects of immersive VR rehabilitation on social cognition in MS patients and explored related cortical neurophysiological signatures. Methods: Seven MS patients underwent immersive VR rehabilitation with the CAREN system (3 sessions/week, approximately 45 min of active training per session, about 1 h including preparation, 8 weeks), while seven healthy controls (HC) did not undergo any intervention. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0) and post-treatment (T1) with standardized measures of cognitive, emotional, and motor functioning. EEG data were acquired from all participants, and, after artifact removal, spectral parameterization decomposed signals into aperiodic (exponent, offset) and periodic oscillatory components (alpha and beta power). Power spectral density was analyzed using group comparisons and Pearson correlations with neuropsychological measures. Results: Compared with HC, MS patients showed reduced alpha-band power, mainly over frontal and parieto-occipital regions, whereas aperiodic parameters did not differ between groups. In patients, alpha and beta power correlated with the Positive Emotions Self-Efficacy Scale (alpha: Discussion: Rehabilitation via immersive VR has shown promising clinically significant effects in the cognitive, emotional, and motor domains, supported by convergent EEG spectral signatures. Future studies employing predictive modeling approaches will be required to assess their prognostic value.

Indexed as

EEG spectral parameterizationimmersive virtual realitymultiple sclerosisneurophysiological biomarkersneurorehabilitationsocial cognition

Identifiers

PMID42057901
PMCPMC13121301

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.