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Physiotherapist-guided Home Exercise in Moderate to Severe MS

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Multiple Sclerosis
Interventions
Behavioral: Physiotherapist-guided home exercise with standard support
Behavioral: Physiotherapist-guided home exercise with web-based support
Registration Number
NCT03039400
Lead Sponsor
University of Saskatchewan
Brief Summary

Physical activity is a crucial component to wellness and is associated with multiple health benefits. Persons with MS may find it challenging to participate in regular physical activity or exercise, which is activity done to improve health and/or fitness. This research will test an innovative web-based intervention to help persons with moderate-to-severe disability manage their condition through a maintenance exercise program with specialized physiotherapist guidance and support. The researchers will examine adherence to the web-based physiotherapy program compared to standard physiotherapy care. Forty-five people with MS will be randomly assigned to the web group or standard care group at a rate of 2:1. Participants in the web group will receive supported and individualized web-based physiotherapy. Participants in the standard care group will receive a written exercise program. Regular participation (adherence) in the exercise programs will be evaluated in both groups over six months. The research will also examine participant satisfaction with the programs, safety, MS symptoms, and physical function. A web-based approach may be widely accessible to persons with MS in their own homes and could support long-term participation in physical activity important to wellness.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • diagnosed with MS
  • moderate to severe disability (PDDS 2-7)
  • able to access the internet in your current living environment
Exclusion Criteria
  • already doing structured exercise more than once per week
  • residing >300km from Saskatoon (unless able to travel to Saskatoon for the appointments)
  • unable to understand the intent and process of this study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard care groupPhysiotherapist-guided home exercise with standard supportThose in the standard care group will have their exercise program explained to them at an initial face-to-face assessment with a treating physiotherapist as per usual care. They will receive a written, home-based exercise program. Participants in the usual care group will also be encouraged to undertake their exercise program at least twice per week, and will be asked to keep an exercise diary, in paper format. Participants in the usual care group will also receive a weekly phone call from the physiotherapist for the first two weeks to check on progress.
Web-based physio groupPhysiotherapist-guided home exercise with web-based supportThose in the web-based physio group will have an individual exercise program set up by a treating physiotherapist on webbasedphysio.com after an initial face-to-face assessment. They will be encouraged to undertake their exercise program at least twice per week and diarize their work. Participants will receive a weekly phone call from their treating physiotherapist for the first two weeks. The treating physiotherapist will review the exercise diary of each participant every two weeks, and remotely alter the participant's exercise program as appropriate, by changing exercises, level of difficulty or number of repetitions.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Adherence to prescribed exercise program6 months

Measured by number of completed exercise sessions on exercise diary

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Timed Up and Go6 months
Grip strength measured on hand dynamometer6 months
Timed 25-Foot Walk Test6 months
Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS29 v.2)6 months
Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ)6 months
Injury or fall6 months

Participants will be asked to contact their treating physiotherapist in the event of new pain, injury, or fall.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale6 months
FIM (R) instrument6 months

The FIM (R) instrument, data set and impairment codes referenced herein are the property of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation, a division of UB Foundation Activities, Inc.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Saskatchewan

🇨🇦

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

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