View clinical trials related to HAM/TSP.
Filter by:Individuals with HTLV-1 secondary myelopathy (HAM/TSP) may have motor and sensory alterations, which may result in reduced functional performance and consequent risk of falls. The aim of the study is to verify the therapeutic effect of a Pilates exercise program on functional performance and risk of falls, when compared to task-oriented training, of people with HAM / TSP. This is a randomized, crossover clinical trial performed with individuals with HAM / TSP who are attended at a referral center who is able to perform gait whether or not to use a walking aid. Amputees, with psychiatric disorders, rheumatic or orthopedic diseases and other associated neurological disorders, which could influence the balance and functional mobility, as well as pregnant women, were excluded. Participants will be submitted to the initial evaluation of functional mobility, balance, gait balance, fatigue, gait endurance, sphincter changes and questioned about the occurrence of falls in the last three months and will answer a semi-structured questionnaire about their conjugality. They will be allocated randomly to two groups. One will perform the Pilates Method protocol and the other task-oriented training. The first group, called test-control group (GTC), will initiate the protocol with exercises of the Pilates method; the control-test group (GCT) will initiate the task-oriented training protocol. A p <0.05 will be considered a statistically significant difference.
Background: HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare, progressive disease. It occurs in some people infected with the HTLV-1 virus. It leads to weakness in the lower limbs and other serious problems. It has no treatment. Teriflunomide is a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis. It reduces immune cells that make the disease worse. Researchers want to learn if this drug can help people with HAM/TSP. Objective: To learn the effects, immune response, safety, and tolerability of teriflunomide in people with HAM/TSP. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with HAM/TSP. Design: Participants will be screened under protocol 98-N-0047. Participants will have a medical history. They will have physical and neurological exams. They will have blood and urine tests. Participants will take 1 tablet of the study drug once a day for 9 months. They will keep a drug diary. Participants will have lymphapheresis. For this, blood is drawn from a needle in one arm. A machine divides the blood into red cells, plasma, and white cells. The white cells are removed. The plasma and red cells are returned to the participant through a needle in the other arm. Participants will have lumbar punctures ( spinal taps ). For this, a thin needle is inserted into the spinal canal in the lower back. Spinal fluid is removed. Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner. Participation will last for 15 months.