Exercise Training, Cognition, and Mobility in Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

The overall objective of the proposed randomized controlled (RCT) is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 16-week theory-based, remotely-delivered, combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) training intervention for improving cognitive and physical function in older adults (50+ years) with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have mild-to-moderate cognitive and walking impairment. Participants (N=50) will be randomly assigned into exercise training (combined aerobic and resistance exercise) condition or active control (flexibility and stretching) condition. The 16-week intervention will be delivered and monitored remotely within a participant's home/community and supported by Zoom-based chats guided by social cognitive theory (SCT) via a behavioral coach. Participants will receive training materials (e.g., prescriptive manual and exercise equipment), one-on-one coaching, action-planning via calendars, self-monitoring via logs, and SCT-based newsletters. It is hypothesized that the home-based exercise intervention will yield beneficial effects on cognition, mobility, physical activity, and vascular function compared with an active control condition (flexibility and stretching intervention), and these improvements will be sustained during a 16-week follow-up period.

Conditions

• Older Adults
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cognitive Impairment
• Walking Impairment

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program (GEMS program)

* Remotely-coached/guided, home-based program delivered using telerehabilitation focusing on aerobic fitness and muscle strength as a mode of training. * The exercise training prescription involves performing 3 days per week and include (a) aerobic exercise: 30+ minutes of moderate-intensity walking (≥100 steps/min) monitored by a waist-worn pedometer, and (b) resistance training: 1-2 sets, 10-15 repetitions of 5-10 exercises targeting lower and upper body, and core muscle groups using elastic bands. * Other components of the GEMS program include appropriate exercise equipment (pedometer, resistance bands), one-on-one coaching sessions via Zoom, action-planning via calendars, logbooks for self-monitoring, and SCT-based newsletters.

BEHAVIORAL

Flexibility and Stretching Program (FLEX-MS program)

* Remotely-coached/guided, home-based program delivered using telerehabilitation focusing on stretching and range of motion as the mode of training. * The training will involve the same frequency, duration, timeline, behavior change content, and interactions with behavioral coach as the GEMS program, and account for activity, social-contact, and attention. * Other components of the FLEX-MS program include appropriate exercise equipment (yoga mat), one-on-one coaching sessions via Zoom, calendars, logbooks and newsletters similar to the GEMS program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Chicago

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Peixuan Zheng, PhD · University of Illinois at Chicago

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-07-05

Primary Completion

2025-02-11

Completion

2025-03-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations