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

Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect of a 6-Month Exercise Rehabilitation Program on Physical and Cognitive Function in Persons With MS Who Use Wheelchairs as a Primary Mobility Device

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests a personalized exercise program called the GH method for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who mainly use a wheelchair. It will look at whether the program improves muscle strength and walking, and may reduce fatigue (feeling very tired).

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.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Have MS.
  • Be older than 18.
  • Have had no MS relapse (a flare-up of symptoms) in the past 30 days.
  • Use a wheelchair to get around in the community.
  • Be able to walk at least 50 feet (or 65 steps) with a walking aid.
  • Answer “yes” to no more than one question on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), a check for exercise safety.
  • Be willing to complete study tests and be assigned to a study group by chance.

Who can't join

  • Do not have MS.
  • Are younger than 18.
  • Have had an MS relapse (a flare-up of symptoms) in the past 30 days.
  • Do not use a wheelchair as your main way to get around.
  • Cannot walk at least 50 feet (or 65 steps).
  • Answer “yes” to more than one question on the PAR-Q, showing a higher risk from exercise.
  • Are not willing to complete study tests or be assigned to a study group by chance.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

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 a single "yes" * response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) * willingness to complete the assessments and undergo randomization 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 the PAR-Q * not willing to complete the testing procedures and undergo randomization

Study sites (1)

IL