Exercise Effects in Multiple Sclerosis
- Conditions
- Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis, Primary ProgressiveMultiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-RemittingMultiple Sclerosis, Secondary ProgressiveMultiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive
- Interventions
- Other: Exercise Group 3Other: Exercise Group 2Other: Exercise Group 1
- Registration Number
- NCT05496881
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Regina
- Brief 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.
- Detailed 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 & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 69
- 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.
- 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
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Exercise Group 3 Exercise Group 3 This intervention will focus on flexibility, range of motion, and muscle tone. Exercise Group 2 Exercise Group 2 This intervention will focus on physical fitness. Exercise Group 1 Exercise Group 1 The intervention will focus on mobility and balance.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Timed 25-Foot Walk Test 6 weeks post intervention 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.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Motor Evoked Potential Amplitude 6 weeks post intervention 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.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Regina
🇨🇦Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada