A Task-oriented Circuit Training in Multiple Sclerosis

NCT ID: NCT02421744

Last Updated: 2018-11-29

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

35 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-03-31

Study Completion Date

2018-10-31

Brief Summary

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Our primary hypothesis is that a two weeks high-intensity task-oriented circuit training followed by a structured 3 months home exercise program would have higher benefits compared to a delayed-treatment group as control in people with multiple sclerosis and mild to moderate gait impairment.

Our secondary hypothesis is that there could be retention of clinical gains in subjects that underwent TOCT plus structured 3 months home exercise program.

Detailed Description

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This is a single blind randomized-controlled trial to test the effects of a task oriented training on locomotor function, mobility and balance in multiple sclerosis subjects with mild to moderate gait impairments (EDSS 4-5.5).

Subjects and methods:54 multiple sclerosis patients will be recruited in two outpatient rehabilitation clinics (Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria di Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana). Informed consent will be obtained. Participants enrolled will be included in 2 different treatment groups: experimental group will receive 10 TOCT sessions over 2 weeks (2 hours/each session) followed by a 3 months home exercise program, whereas control group will be included into a delayed-treatment group. Three subjects with a supervisor physiotherapist will take part at the TOCT. Primary outcome measure will be walking endurance (Six Minute Walking Test); as secondary outcome we will test gait speed (Timed 25-Foot Walk), balance (Dynamic Gait Index) and mobility (Time Up and Go Test); through self-assessment questionnaires we will evaluate motor fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale - MFIS), walking ability (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale - 12), health-related quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale - 29 and Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis). In addition to clinical outcomes, in a convenience sample we will have: (i) balance assessment (force platform); (ii) motorcortex oxygenation during walking (fNIRS); (iii) muscle oxygenation (NIRS); (iv) force and EMG signal; (v) mechanical and electrical fatigue assessment; (vi) brain connectivity (EEG). Outcome measures will be assessed 1 week prior to treatment initiation (T0), after two weeks to treatment initiation (T1), after the 3 months exercise program (T2) and at 3 months follow-up (T3) to evaluate treatments retention, by a clinician blinded to the treatment.

The specific aims will be (i) to test the effects on walking, mobility, balance, fatigue and health-related quality of life; (ii) to test the effects on cerebral oxygenation (fNIRS) during walking; (iii) muscle oxygenation (NIRS); (iv) force and EMG signal; (v) Mechanical and electrical fatigue assessment; (vi) brain connectivity (EEG) and (vii) to investigate the 3 months home exercise program's feasibility, satisfaction and adherence.

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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Task Oriented Circuit Training

TOCT includes six different workstations in which subjects exercise for 5 minutes in each one (3 minutes of exercise and 2 minutes of rest). During each session, subjects undergo 2 laps that take about 60 minutes (6 workstation × 5 minutes × 2 laps), with 10 minutes of rest after each lap. In addition, walking endurance is trained by 30 minutes walking on the treadmill including rests if necessary. This is a progressive circuit and subjects while exercising receive feedbacks (visual and auditory) by the physiotherapist. Rests are used to discuss about difficulties and to provide further feedbacks. One session includes up to 3 patients and lasts 120 minutes, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. After this period they will receive a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Task Oriented Circuit Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

TOCT includes six different workstations in which subjects exercise for 5 minutes in each one (3 minutes of exercise and 2 minutes of rest). During each session, subjects undergo 2 laps that take about 60 minutes (6 workstation × 5 minutes × 2 laps), with 10 minutes of rest after each lap. In addition, walking endurance is trained by 30 minutes walking on the treadmill including rests if necessary. This is a progressive circuit and subjects while exercising receive feedbacks (visual and auditory) by the physiotherapist. Rests are used to discuss about difficulties and to provide further feedbacks. One session includes up to 3 patients and lasts 120 minutes, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. After this period they will receive a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Delayed Onset TOCT

The control group will not receive any specific rehabilitation treatment for gait performance and mobility improvement. At any case, the control group will be authorized, at will, to exercise in non-rehabilitative contexts (i.e. swimming, walking, yoga) for 14 weeks. After this period they will receive TOCT as treatment plus a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Delayed Onset TOCT

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The control group will not receive any specific rehabilitation treatment for gait performance and mobility improvement. At any case, the control group will be authorized, at will, to exercise in non-rehabilitative contexts (i.e. swimming, walking, yoga) for 14 weeks. After this period they will receive TOCT as treatment plus a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Interventions

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Task Oriented Circuit Training

TOCT includes six different workstations in which subjects exercise for 5 minutes in each one (3 minutes of exercise and 2 minutes of rest). During each session, subjects undergo 2 laps that take about 60 minutes (6 workstation × 5 minutes × 2 laps), with 10 minutes of rest after each lap. In addition, walking endurance is trained by 30 minutes walking on the treadmill including rests if necessary. This is a progressive circuit and subjects while exercising receive feedbacks (visual and auditory) by the physiotherapist. Rests are used to discuss about difficulties and to provide further feedbacks. One session includes up to 3 patients and lasts 120 minutes, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. After this period they will receive a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Delayed Onset TOCT

The control group will not receive any specific rehabilitation treatment for gait performance and mobility improvement. At any case, the control group will be authorized, at will, to exercise in non-rehabilitative contexts (i.e. swimming, walking, yoga) for 14 weeks. After this period they will receive TOCT as treatment plus a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* males and females,
* community dwelling,
* age \>18 and \<75
* diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in a stable phase, with relapses \> 3 months prior to study enrollment
* moderate gait impairments referred to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) between 4 and 5,5
* MMSE \>24

Exclusion Criteria

* neurologic conditions in addition to multiple sclerosis that may affect motor function
* medical conditions likely to interfere with the ability to safely complete the study
* pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University Hospital of Ferrara

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Sofia Straudi, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ferrara Rehabilitation Hospital

Locations

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Ferrara University Hospital

Ferrara, , Italy

Site Status

Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana

Pisa, , Italy

Site Status

Countries

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Italy

Other Identifiers

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Studio multicentrico TOCT SM

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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