Exercise Rehabilitation Program in MS Who Use Wheelchairs as a Primary Mobility Device

Phase

N/A

Condition

Multiple Sclerosis

Neurologic Disorders

Memory Loss

Treatment

Exercise rehabilitation program

Clinical Study ID

NCT06410261

STUDY2024-0273

Ages > 18
All Genders

Study Summary

Approximately 50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) use a wheelchair within 30 years of the initial diagnosis. Wheelchair use in MS is often associated with fatigue as a consequence of muscle weakness. Indeed, fatigue, a prevalent consequence of MS, often becomes debilitating and exhausts energetic resources when carrying-out tasks of daily life and/or interacting with the community, as these require ambulatory mobility. This experience of excessive fatigue has its roots in muscle weakness and results in reliance on a wheelchair for mobility, and the dependency on a wheelchair may further reduce muscular strength, particularly of the lower extremities. We propose that wheelchair users with MS can increase muscular strength through a personalized exercise rehabilitation, and this in turn will improve ambulatory performance and possibly reduce fatigue. To date, no research has examined the effects of this specific exercise rehabilitation program (GH method) on physical function and other disease-related outcomes in persons with MS who use wheelchairs as a primary mobility device.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

diagnosis of MS
age above 18 years
no relapse within last 30 days
use of wheelchair for mobility in the community
ability to walk at least 50 feet (or 65 steps) using an assistive device
low risk for contraindications of physical activity indicated by no more than asingle "yes"
response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
willingness to complete the assessments and undergo randomization

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

no diagnosis of MS
less than 18 years of age
not relapse-free within the last 30 days
no use of wheelchair as primary mobility device
no ability to walk for at least 50 feet (or 65 steps)
high risk for contraindications based on more than a single "yes" response on thePAR-Q
not willing to complete the testing procedures and undergo randomization

Study Design

Exercise rehabilitation program

April 29, 2024

July 31, 2027

Study Description

To date, there is a dearth of clinical trials examining exercise programs targeting wheelchair users with MS, but exercise programs are ideally suited for targeting the underlying causes of wheelchair use in this population, namely reduced lower extremity strength that manifests as excessive fatigue when undertaking tasks of daily life and/or interacting with the community. We propose examining a novel and highly relevant exercise rehabilitation program (GH method) on physical function and other disease-related outcomes in persons with MS who use wheelchairs as a primary mobility device.

There are no relevant preliminary data in wheelchair users with MS, but the GH method has been successfully applied in other chronic, disabling diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). The data from our previous and ongoing application of GH in CKD has supported improvements in a range of outcomes from physical frailty through quality of life.

This proposed research will test the effects of a 6-month exercise rehabilitation program on physical function, self-reported health-related outcomes, and cognitive function in persons with MS who use wheelchairs as a primary mobility device in the community, but who are still ambulatory. These findings may guide researchers, clinicians, and exercise specialists in the advancement of future interventions for improving the lives of persons from this segment of the population with MS.

Connect with a study center

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois 60612
United States
Active - Recruiting

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