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

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

OTHER

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.

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McGill University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nancy E Mayo, PhD · McGill University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-09-30

Primary Completion

2017-12-31

Completion

2018-12-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations