Exercise Effects in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trial

Official title:

Evaluating Task-Oriented Exercise Effects on Walking Function and the Central Nervous System in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05496881
• Other study ID #: 2021-197
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: June 15, 2022
• Est. completion date: April 30, 2025

Study information

• Verified date: January 2024
• Source: University of Regina
• Contact: Cameron Mang, PhD
• Phone: 306-585-4066
• Email: cameron.mang[@]uregina.ca
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

A growing body of work suggests that regular exercise can support symptom management and improve physical function for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although exercise is known to be beneficial for managing many symptoms related to MS, its effects on the central nervous system, and whether these effects change with different types of exercise, are not well understood. Here, the investigators have designed a clinical trial that compares the effects of distinct exercise protocols on aspects of physical function, physical fitness, and central nervous system function. This research will be the first to compare the effects of different types of exercise on central nervous system changes in people with MS.

Description:

A total of 69 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and moderate motor disability in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada will be randomly assigned to receive one of three distinct exercise programs. All exercise programs will be delivered three times per week in 60-minute group sessions over the course of 12 weeks under the supervision of Clinical Exercise Physiologists. Exercise programming will include activities focused on mobility, fitness, and flexibility. Assessments of physical function, physical fitness, and central nervous system function will be conducted immediately before, after, and six weeks following completion of the exercise programs.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 69
• Est. completion date: April 30, 2025
• Est. primary completion date: October 31, 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of progressive MS by a neurologist

• physician clearance for exercise

• a Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDSS) score between 3 and 7 (i.e., moderate motor disability)

• a Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW) test time > 6.0 s.

Exclusion Criteria:

• a baseline score >24 on the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (i.e., high physical activity levels)

• absolute contraindications to TMS (e.g. history of seizure)

• a history of any neurological conditions other than MS

• relapse in the past three months (self-reported, neurologist confirmed)

• psychiatric diagnosis

• substance abuse

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive
• Multiple Sclerosis, Primary Progressive
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
• Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive
• Sclerosis

Intervention

Other:
• Exercise Group 1
Prescribed exercises will focus on mobility and balance.
• Exercise Group 2
Prescribed exercises will focus on physical fitness.
• Exercise Group 3
Prescribed exercises will focus on flexibility, range of motion, and muscle tone.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	University of Regina	Regina	Saskatchewan

Sponsors (4)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Regina	First Steps Wellness Centre, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, University of Saskatchewan

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

References & Publications (12)

Chaves AR, Devasahayam AJ, Kelly LP, Pretty RW, Ploughman M. Exercise-Induced Brain Excitability Changes in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2020 Apr;44(2):132-144. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000308. — View Citation

Coleman CI, Sobieraj DM, Marinucci LN. Minimally important clinical difference of the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test: results from a randomized controlled trial in patients with multiple sclerosis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2012 Jan;28(1):49-56. doi: 10.1185/03007995.2011.639752. Epub 2011 Nov 23. — View Citation

Dalgas U, Stenager E, Jakobsen J, Petersen T, Hansen HJ, Knudsen C, Overgaard K, Ingemann-Hansen T. Resistance training improves muscle strength and functional capacity in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2009 Nov 3;73(18):1478-84. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181bf98b4. — View Citation

Goldman MD, Motl RW, Scagnelli J, Pula JH, Sosnoff JJ, Cadavid D. Clinically meaningful performance benchmarks in MS: timed 25-foot walk and the real world. Neurology. 2013 Nov 19;81(21):1856-63. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000436065.97642.d2. Epub 2013 Oct 30. — View Citation

Guerra E, di Cagno A, Mancini P, Sperandii F, Quaranta F, Ciminelli E, Fagnani F, Giombini A, Pigozzi F. Physical fitness assessment in multiple sclerosis patients: a controlled study. Res Dev Disabil. 2014 Oct;35(10):2527-33. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.06.013. Epub 2014 Jul 5. — View Citation

Kieseier BC, Pozzilli C. Assessing walking disability in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2012 Jul;18(7):914-24. doi: 10.1177/1352458512444498. Epub 2012 Apr 24. — View Citation

Motl RW, Cohen JA, Benedict R, Phillips G, LaRocca N, Hudson LD, Rudick R; Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium. Validity of the timed 25-foot walk as an ambulatory performance outcome measure for multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2017 Apr;23(5):704-710. doi: 10.1177/1352458517690823. Epub 2017 Feb 16. — View Citation

Phan-Ba R, Pace A, Calay P, Grodent P, Douchamps F, Hyde R, Hotermans C, Delvaux V, Hansen I, Moonen G, Belachew S. Comparison of the timed 25-foot and the 100-meter walk as performance measures in multiple sclerosis. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011 Sep;25(7):672-9. doi: 10.1177/1545968310397204. Epub 2011 Mar 24. — View Citation

Pilutti LA, Sandroff BM, Klaren RE, Learmonth YC, Platta ME, Hubbard EA, Stratton M, Motl RW. Physical Fitness Assessment Across the Disability Spectrum in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparison of Testing Modalities. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2015 Oct;39(4):241-9. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000099. — View Citation

Snow NJ, Wadden KP, Chaves AR, Ploughman M. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Potential Biomarker in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review with Recommendations for Future Research. Neural Plast. 2019 Sep 16;2019:6430596. doi: 10.1155/2019/6430596. eCollection 2019. — View Citation

Warraich Z, Kleim JA. Neural plasticity: the biological substrate for neurorehabilitation. PM R. 2010 Dec;2(12 Suppl 2):S208-19. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.10.016. — View Citation

Yen CL, Wang RY, Liao KK, Huang CC, Yang YR. Gait training induced change in corticomotor excitability in patients with chronic stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2008 Jan-Feb;22(1):22-30. doi: 10.1177/1545968307301875. Epub 2007 May 16. — View Citation

* Note: There are 12 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Other	Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test	The Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test provides an assessment of balance control systems. The Mini-BESTest has a high sensitivity in detecting balance impairments in people with MS. The Mini-BESTest has score values between 0-28 with a higher score meaning a better outcome.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale	The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale is a self-report survey that measures the impact of multiple sclerosis on physical and psychological functioning. The MSIS test has a score value between 0-145 with a higher score meaning a worse outcome.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	9-Hole Pegboard Test	The 9-Hole Pegboard Test is a quantitative measure of upper extremity function. The test has a time limit of 300 seconds with higher values indicating a worse outcome.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Symbol Digit Modalities Test	The Symbol Digit Modalities Test is used to asses divided attention, visual scanning, tracking and motor speed. The SDMT test is scored as the number of correct answers provided within 90 seconds (range: 0-110). A higher score would indicate a better outcome.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Peak Isometric Hand Grip Force	Peak Isometric Hand Grip Force provides a measure of general upper-extremity strength. Values typically range from 0 to approximately 75 kilograms of force, with higher values indicating greater strength.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Peak Isometric Knee Extensor Torque	Peak Isometric Knee Extensor Torque provides a measure of general lower-extremity strength. Values typically range from 0 to approximately 75 kg of force, with higher values indicating greater strength. Values typically range from 0 to approximately 300 Newton*Meters of torque, with higher values indicating greater strength.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Peak Oxygen Uptake	Peak Oxygen Uptake provides a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. It is measured through administration of a maximal exercise test. Values typically range from 0-90 milliliters per minute per kilogram.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha concentration in systemic blood	Tumor Necrosis Factor is an inflammatory cytokine that can be measured in human blood serum. Values typically range from 100 to 5000 picograms per milliliter of blood serum. Higher values are generally considered worse.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in systemic blood	Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor is a neurotrophic growth factor that can be measured in human blood serum. Values typically range from 15 to 80 nanograms per milliliter of blood serum. Higher values are generally considered better.	6 weeks post intervention
Other	Neurofilament Light concentration in systemic blood	Neurofilament Light is a neuronal cytoplasmic protein that can be measured in human blood serum. Values typically range from 0 to 100 picograms per milliliter of blood serum. Higher values are generally considered worse.	6 weeks post intervention
Primary	Timed 25-Foot Walk Test	The Timed 25-Foot Walk Test provides an assessment of mobility and lower-extremity function through a measurement of fast walking speed. Test scores range from 0-180 seconds with higher values indicating a worse outcome.	6 weeks post intervention
Secondary	Motor Evoked Potential Amplitude	Measuring the amplitude of motor evoked potentials elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered over the motor cortex provides information about corticospinal excitability. Corticospinal excitability is a potential marker of MS disease burden that is responsive to physical training in people with MS and has been used to study experience-dependent neuroplasticity in other neurological conditions. The range of response amplitude is 0-100% of maximal muscle fibre recruitment, with higher values indicating better outcome.	6 weeks post intervention