The Role of Exercise in Modifying Outcomes for People With Multiple Sclerosis

NCT ID: NCT01611987

Last Updated: 2017-04-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

240 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2012-09-30

Study Completion Date

2018-12-31

Brief Summary

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Despite the benefits of exercise and physical activity people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are relatively inactive. Physical activity is important for persons with disabilities to maintain physical function. A lack of physical activity can contribute to heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes. At the moment, the best way for people with MS to exercise and be physical activity is unknown. People with MS report not knowing what to do. This is a barrier to exercise.

The global aim of this study is to contribute evidence for the role of targeted exercise in altering MS outcomes over time. The design is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The primary research question is to what extent does an MS Tailored Exercise Program (MSTEP) result in greater improvements in exercise capacity and related outcomes in comparison to a program based on general guidelines for exercise among people with MS who are sedentary and wish to engage in exercise as part of MS self-management. The primary outcome for this question is exercise capacity measured using cycle ergometry. However exercise efficiency, functional ambulation, strength, components of quality of life including frequency and intensity of fatigue symptoms, mood, global physical function, health perception, and illness intrusiveness, will also be measured as components of a global response outcome. The first confirmatory hypothesis is that MSTEP will result in a greater proportion of people making clinically relevant gains (at least 10% change) in exercise capacity than with general guidelines after 12 months of intervention; a secondary hypothesis is that, while there may be some decline in exercise capacity among individuals from end of intervention to follow-up one year later, the decline will be greater in the general guideline group augmenting the difference between groups in the proportion making 10% change from study entry to 24 months. In other words, gains will be maintained more for the MSTEP group over the general guideline group.

An exploratory hypothesis is that more of the targeted outcomes will improve with the MSTEP program than the general guideline approach. An explanatory hypothesis is that these gains will be accompanied by reports of greater exercise enjoyment and exercise self-efficacy (confidence) with the MSTEP program than with the general guideline program leading to more consistent exercise engagement and improved long-term adherence.

Detailed Description

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The proposal is for an assessor-blind, parallel-group, stratified, randomized controlled trial. Potential participants will be identified from the population of persons enrolled in 3 MS clinics in the Montreal area and in 3 clinics in Toronto. All persons who are known to be ambulatory and not to have co-morbidity preventing exercise engagement or capacity to consent will be informed of the study in writing and will be invited for an assessment to determine eligibility for entry into the trial. Those consenting will be randomly assigned to either the MSTEP program or the general exercise guideline program. The intervention period will be one year with follow-up to a second year.

The investigators are targeting a sample size of 120 per group (total 240), which would be sufficient to detect RR of \> 1.5 with 80% power. Sample size estimated using pc-size software. The sample size takes into account that drop-outs will inflate the variance of outcomes as multiple imputation will be used to deal with missing data.

The main analysis will be logistic regression to test the main hypothesis related to the superiority of the MSTEP program based on a greater proportion of people making a clinically relevant gain in exercise capacity at 1 year. A secondary outcome will be the differences in proportions at 2 years also using logistic regression. The analysis will be based on intention-to-treat and all persons will be analysed in the groups to which they were randomized.

A secondary analysis will estimate the impact of exercise on the other relevant outcomes. For this approach, each outcome will be converted to a binary response variable based on published clinically meaningful changes and generalized estimating equations (GEE) will be used to test the rate of response in the MSTEP program to the rate of response in the general guideline approach. Multiple outcomes improves the efficiency of the study as the total number of data points is equivalent to the total n multiplied by the number of tests and reduced by the extent to which the outcomes are correlated. Highly correlated outcomes will make the effective sample size smaller than less strongly correlated outcomes. If there is a statistically significant effect of the intervention, then and only then, can the effects of the separate outcomes be interpreted as real.

The results of the trial will be used to develop guidelines for exercise for MS. The investigators are in the process of copyrighting the name of the program (MSTEP). Upon publication of the findings, the description of content will be made available at no cost. If proven effective, a training guide for professionals and patients will be produced most likely taking advantage of the end-of-grant Knowledge Translation (KT) Supplement. Note: The investigators have been funded by the KT supplement to produce a general guide for people with MS, entitled: Getting on with Your Life with MS. The knowledge generated can be used by people with MS and health professional to promote exercise engagement.

Conditions

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Multiple Sclerosis

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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MSTEP

The MSTEP program is a 6 day tailored exercise program. It includes flexibility, aerobic, peripheral strengthening, core and balance training, power and speed training and push days.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MStep

Intervention Type OTHER

Participant will meet with instructor twice to learn how to exercise safely. Exercises will be demonstrated and practiced under the direct supervision of the instructor. Written details and pictures will be made. Variety in exercise will be encouraged to promote long-term adherence. Stretching, strengthening and relaxation exercises will be given. Persons will be given Thera Band® to facilitate resistance exercise training and instructed how to progress. Equipment such as Nordic Walking Poles, stationary bicycle, BOSU®, or exercise balls will be available. Rather than having a fixed rigid prescription, the aim is to get people to intuitively adjust the amount of resistance so they feel they are working without causing harm, they are not doing the same boring activity, week in week out.

General guideline approach

The general Guideline approach is the general guidelines that are recommended for people with MS by the Canadian Society Exercise Physiology.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

General guideline approach

Intervention Type OTHER

Individuals in the control condition will meet with the exercise instructor on two occasions during the first two weeks to review key components of public health guidelines for physical activity and health. In brief, the general guidelines for MS are (i) aerobic and endurance exercise for 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week at an intensity of 60% to 75% of heart rate peak; (ii) weight training for weak muscles, 2 days per week, on non-endurance days, 8 to 15 repetitions per exercise; and (iii) stretching daily with active or passive range of motion exercises, or attendance at Yoga or Tai Chi classes.

Interventions

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MStep

Participant will meet with instructor twice to learn how to exercise safely. Exercises will be demonstrated and practiced under the direct supervision of the instructor. Written details and pictures will be made. Variety in exercise will be encouraged to promote long-term adherence. Stretching, strengthening and relaxation exercises will be given. Persons will be given Thera Band® to facilitate resistance exercise training and instructed how to progress. Equipment such as Nordic Walking Poles, stationary bicycle, BOSU®, or exercise balls will be available. Rather than having a fixed rigid prescription, the aim is to get people to intuitively adjust the amount of resistance so they feel they are working without causing harm, they are not doing the same boring activity, week in week out.

Intervention Type OTHER

General guideline approach

Individuals in the control condition will meet with the exercise instructor on two occasions during the first two weeks to review key components of public health guidelines for physical activity and health. In brief, the general guidelines for MS are (i) aerobic and endurance exercise for 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week at an intensity of 60% to 75% of heart rate peak; (ii) weight training for weak muscles, 2 days per week, on non-endurance days, 8 to 15 repetitions per exercise; and (iii) stretching daily with active or passive range of motion exercises, or attendance at Yoga or Tai Chi classes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* be community dwelling individuals aged 19 -65 who have been diagnosed after 1994 with MS or CIS;
* be able to speak and read English or French;
* be capable of walking 100 meters without a walking aid (EDSS ≤ 5.5), even if they do use an aid for daily activities.

Exclusion Criteria

* have an additional illness that restricts their function; and/or
* had suffered at least one relapse during the past 30 days (as defined by Polman) as this may affect physical activity/exercise participation.
Minimum Eligible Age

19 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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McGill University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Nancy Mayo

PhD, Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Nancy E Mayo, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

McGill University

Locations

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Sunnybrook Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

St. Michael's Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

Toronto Rehabiliation Institute

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

CHUM

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status

Muhc - Mnh

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

References

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Warren S, Warren KG. Prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of multiple sclerosis in Westlock County, Alberta, Canada. Neurology. 1993 Sep;43(9):1760-3. doi: 10.1212/wnl.43.9.1760.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8414027 (View on PubMed)

Warren S, Warren KG, Svenson LW, Schopflocher DP, Jones A. Geographic and temporal distribution of mortality rates for multiple sclerosis in Canada, 1965-1994. Neuroepidemiology. 2003 Jan-Feb;22(1):75-81. doi: 10.1159/000067111.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12566957 (View on PubMed)

Turner AP, Kivlahan DR, Haselkorn JK. Exercise and quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis: looking beyond physical functioning to mental health and participation in life. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Mar;90(3):420-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.09.558.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19254606 (View on PubMed)

Poppe AY, Wolfson C, Zhu B. Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Canada: a systematic review. Can J Neurol Sci. 2008 Nov;35(5):593-601. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100009380.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19235443 (View on PubMed)

White LJ, Castellano V. Exercise and brain health--implications for multiple sclerosis: Part 1--neuronal growth factors. Sports Med. 2008;38(2):91-100. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200838020-00001.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18201113 (View on PubMed)

White LJ, Castellano V. Exercise and brain health--implications for multiple sclerosis: Part II--immune factors and stress hormones. Sports Med. 2008;38(3):179-86. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200838030-00001.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18278981 (View on PubMed)

Dalgas U, Stenager E, Ingemann-Hansen T. Multiple sclerosis and physical exercise: recommendations for the application of resistance-, endurance- and combined training. Mult Scler. 2008 Jan;14(1):35-53. doi: 10.1177/1352458507079445. Epub 2007 Sep 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17881393 (View on PubMed)

Mayo N. Setting the agenda for multiple sclerosis rehabilitation research. Mult Scler. 2008 Nov;14(9):1154-6. doi: 10.1177/1352458508096567. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18952830 (View on PubMed)

Motl RW, Snook EM, McAuley E, Gliottoni RC. Symptoms, self-efficacy, and physical activity among individuals with multiple sclerosis. Res Nurs Health. 2006 Dec;29(6):597-606. doi: 10.1002/nur.20161.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17131278 (View on PubMed)

Motl RW, McAuley E, Snook EM. Physical activity and multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis. Mult Scler. 2005 Aug;11(4):459-63. doi: 10.1191/1352458505ms1188oa.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16042230 (View on PubMed)

Rietberg MB, Brooks D, Uitdehaag BM, Kwakkel G. Exercise therapy for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Jan 25;2005(1):CD003980. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003980.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15674920 (View on PubMed)

Asano M, Dawes DJ, Arafah A, Moriello C, Mayo NE. What does a structured review of the effectiveness of exercise interventions for persons with multiple sclerosis tell us about the challenges of designing trials? Mult Scler. 2009 Apr;15(4):412-21. doi: 10.1177/1352458508101877.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19324979 (View on PubMed)

Dalgas U, Stenager E, Jakobsen J, Petersen T, Hansen HJ, Knudsen C, Overgaard K, Ingemann-Hansen T. Resistance training improves muscle strength and functional capacity in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2009 Nov 3;73(18):1478-84. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181bf98b4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19884575 (View on PubMed)

Hayes HA, Gappmaier E, LaStayo PC. Effects of high-intensity resistance training on strength, mobility, balance, and fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2011 Mar;35(1):2-10. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0b013e31820b5a9d.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21475078 (View on PubMed)

Mayo NE, Bayley M, Duquette P, Lapierre Y, Anderson R, Bartlett S. The role of exercise in modifying outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized trial. BMC Neurol. 2013 Jun 28;13:69. doi: 10.1186/1471-2377-13-69.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 23809312 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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http://www.mssociety.ca.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Other Identifiers

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CIHR258309

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

NCT01032707

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: nct_alias

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