Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Full-Body Electrostimulation Garment for Individuals With Neurological and Neuromuscular Conditions That Cause Spasticity, Hyperreflexia, and Pain

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis; Neurologic Disorder; Fibromyalgia; Neuromuscular Disorders

• Registration Number: NCT07132775
• Lead Sponsor: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to to explore the safety and efficacy of the EXOPULSE Mollii suit, a full-body electrostimulation suit, for individuals with neurological or neuromuscular conditions that cause spasticity, hyperreflexia, and/or pain.

Detailed Description

Optimization Aim: Identify a systematic, methodological approach to device fitting, inclinic and at-home protocols using the Mollii suit, and optimization of collecting outcome measures at assessment visits. For example, up to 15 participants will complete a portion or all of the procedures listed in the "Procedures Involved" section of this protocol to determine an optimal approach.

Aim 1: Assess the safety of the Mollii suit during an in-clinic or at-home 12-week period consisting of daily sessions of a 60-minute duration in individuals with pain and/or spasticity from neurological and neuromuscular conditions that cause spasticity, hyperreflexia, and pain.

Aim 2: Evaluate the use of full-body active electrostimulation as compared to full-body sham electrostimulation as an intervention in-clinic or at-home for individuals experiencing pain and/or spasticity due to neurological and neuromuscular conditions that cause spasticity, hyperreflexia, and pain.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2025-07-23
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-08-11
• Study First Posted: 2025-08-20
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-09
• Primary Completion: 2027-07
• Study Completion: 2027-07-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 15

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 18 to 75 years old

2. Medical clearance from physician

3. Individuals who experience spasticity, pain, or hyperreflexia due to neurological or neuromuscular conditions or individuals with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis or Fibromyalgia

4. For participants with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis:

   1. having a definite diagnosis for at least one month
   2. Ability to walk independently or with the need of support (expanded disability status scale score (EDSS) < 7).
   3. Absence of relapses in the last three months
   4. Demonstrating spasticity with a score of at least 1+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
   5. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score of < 46 (associated in the literature with a risk of fall)

5. For participants with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia:

   a. having a definite diagnosis for at least three months

6. Able to follow instructions and inform study staff of pain and/or discomfort

7. Able to ambulate 10m without body weight support with or without assistive devices and/or caregiver assistance

Exclusion Criteria

1. Implanted medical devices or equipment which can be disrupted by magnets (ex. Shunts)
2. Swollen, infected, or inflamed areas or skin eruptions (e.g., phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, etc.) in areas where the suit will be used
3. No established somatic or neuropsychiatric diagnosis prior to enrollment in the study
4. Pregnant and/or nursing

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Berg Balance Scale	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	The Berg Balance Scale is a 14-item objective measure that assesses static balance and falls risk. The functional abilities that are assessed include sitting and standing balance, transfers, altered bases of support, reaching, turning, and closing eyes.Scores range from 0 - 56, with higher scores indicating improved balance.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
10 Meter Walk Test	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	Participants are timed as they walk 10 meters at both their self-selected speed, and their fastest but safest speeds.
6 Minute Walk Test	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	A test to measure the distance that a participant can walk over a period of 6 minutes.
Manual Muscle Test	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	A procedure to evaluate the strength of individual muscles relative to gravity and manual resistance. Scores can range from 0 (no contraction) to 5 (full contraction against max resistance)
Modified Ashworth Scale	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	The Modified Ashworth Scale is used to grade the amount of hypertonicity / spasticity in individuals. Tone is scored by passively moving the individual's limb and assessing the amount of resistance to movement felt by the examiner. Scores can range from 0 (no spasticity) to 4 (affected part rigid.)
Timed Up and Go	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	The Timed Up and Go measures the time it takes for a person to stand up from a chair, walk a distance of 3 meters, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down.
Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	A multi-dimensional questionnaire about a patient's quality of life for those who have multiple sclerosis.
Twelve-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	A self-report questionnaire that measures the impact of multiple sclerosis on a person's walking ability. Scores range from 12 - 60, with higher scores indicating a greater impact on walking ability.
Falls Efficacy Scale	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	A questionnaire that measures a participant's fear of falling for items related to activities of daily living. Scores range from 10 - 100, with higher scores indicating an increased fear of falling.
Clinical Global Impressions Scale	Baseline 1 (prior to Arm 1)- initial visit, Endpoint 1 (after 2 weeks of Arm 1)- at approx 2 weeks, Baseline 2 (after 2 week washout and before Arm 2)- at approx 4 weeks, Endpoint 2 (after 2 weeks of Arm 2)- at approx 6 weeks	A assessment of the clinician's view of a participant's global functioning prior to, and after initiating a study intervention.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; 🇺🇸 Chicago, Illinois, United States