Physical Activity for Multiple Sclerosis

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Must be taking: Disease-modifying therapy

Disqualifiers: Pregnant, High exercise risk, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The overall objective of the current study is to determine the efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered lifestyle behavioral intervention compared with a control condition (i.e., waitlist control) in persons newly diagnosed with MS (disease duration ≤ 2 years). Specific Aim 1: To evaluate the changes in self-report and device-measured physical activity after the 16-week remotely delivered physical activity behavior change intervention compared with a control condition (i.e., waitlist control) in persons who have diagnosed with MS within the past two years. The investigators hypothesize that the 16-week behavior change intervention will yield greater improvements in physical activity levels than the control condition immediately after the intervention. Specific Aim 2: To investigate the efficacy of the 16-week, remotely delivered physical activity behavior change intervention compared with the control condition for improvements in fatigue, depression, anxiety, and QoL in persons newly diagnosed with MS. The investigators hypothesize that there will be beneficial effects on the symptoms and QoL outcomes immediately after the physical activity intervention compared with minimal changes in the control condition.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it requires participants to be on a disease-modifying therapy, so you may need to continue that specific treatment.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Multiple Sclerosis?

Research shows that behavioral interventions delivered through the Internet can successfully increase physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), which is important because exercise and physical activity are known to improve symptoms and quality of life in MS patients.

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Is physical activity safe for people with multiple sclerosis?

The research does not provide specific safety data for physical activity interventions in people with multiple sclerosis, but it suggests that these interventions are being studied for their feasibility and acceptability, which implies a focus on ensuring they are safe and manageable for participants.

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How is the Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention treatment for multiple sclerosis different from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on increasing physical activity through a behavioral intervention delivered via the internet, using social cognitive theory (SCT) to help people with multiple sclerosis become more active, which is different from traditional drug-based treatments.

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Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the last 2 years, can walk without help, have internet access, and are currently not very active. They should be relapse-free for a month, able to read English, and on disease-modifying therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

Internet and e-mail access, and willingness to complete the testing and questionnaires

I was diagnosed with MS by a neurologist in the last 2 years.

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant

Have elevated risk for undertaking strenuous or maximal exercise based on two or more affirmatives on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

Participant Groups

The study tests if a 16-week program of lifestyle physical activity delivered remotely can improve physical activity levels and quality of life (QoL) compared to those who wait before starting the program.

Group I: Waitlist condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive access to a remote-delivered physical activity program for 16 weeks that includes access to electronic newsletters and regular one-on-one coaching chats (15-30 minutes) over Zoom with a behavioral coach after the follow-up assessment.

Group II: Physical activity condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive a remote-delivered physical activity program for 16 weeks that includes access to electronic newsletters and regular one-on-one coaching chats (15 - 30 minutes) over Zoom with a behavioral coach after the baseline assessment. Throughout the 16-week period, The investigators will ask participants to wear a Fitbit (provided) for tracking daily physical activity.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago Lead Sponsor

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lifestyle physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis: the new kid on the MS block. [2022] Supervised exercise training has substantial benefits for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet 80% of those with MS do not meet recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This same problem persisted for decades in the general population of adults and prompted a paradigm shift away from "exercise training for fitness" toward "physical activity for health." The paradigm shift reflects a public health approach of promoting lifestyle physical activity through behavioral interventions that teach people the skills, techniques, and strategies based on established theories for modifying and self-regulating health behaviors. This paper describes: (a) the definitions of and difference between structured exercise training and lifestyle physical activity; (b) the importance and potential impact of the paradigm shift; (c) consequences of lifestyle physical activity in MS; and (d) behavioral interventions for changing lifestyle physical activity in MS. The paper introduces the "new kid on the MS block" with the hope that lifestyle physical activity might become an accepted partner alongside exercise training for inclusion in comprehensive MS care.

2. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

eHealth-Based Behavioral Intervention for Increasing Physical Activity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Fidelity Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020] The rate of physical activity is substantially lower in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. This problem can be reversed through rigorous and reproducible delivery of behavioral interventions that target lifestyle physical activity in MS. These interventions are, in part, based on a series of phase II randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supporting the efficacy of an internet-delivered behavioral intervention, which is based on social cognitive theory (SCT) for increasing physical activity in MS.

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention targeting symptoms and physical activity in multiple sclerosis. [2022] Exercise training is beneficial, but most persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are sedentary and physically inactive. This has prompted a new focus on the promotion of lifestyle physical activity in MS. We previously designed, tested, and refined a behavioral intervention delivered through the Internet that successfully increased lifestyle physical activity in MS, but have not evaluated the effects on secondary symptomatic and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes.

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lifestyle physical activity and walking impairment over time in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results from a panel study. [2016] There is currently no published evidence from longitudinal or intervention studies of an association between lifestyle physical activity and walking impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis. This panel study tested the hypothesis that a change in lifestyle physical activity would be inversely associated with change in walking impairment over a 6-mo period in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do internet resources align with exercise training and physical activity guidelines for people with multiple sclerosis? [2022] Exercise training and lifestyle physical activity have been identified as evidence-based approaches for improving symptoms and quality of life among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Such evidence supported the development of physical activity guidelines (PAGs) for people with MS. The goal of such guidelines involved broad dissemination and uptake, as there is substantial evidence for low rates of participation in exercise training and physical activity in this population.

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety, feasibility, acceptability and effects of a behaviour-change intervention to change physical activity behaviour among people with multiple sclerosis: Results from the iStep-MS randomised controlled trial. [2021] There is limited information regarding the safety, feasibility and acceptability of behaviour-change interventions to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior to evaluating efficacy, it is important to identify problems with feasibility and acceptability, which may undermine effectiveness.

7. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity and multiple sclerosis: new insights regarding inactivity. [2022] There is increasing recognition that physical activity has beneficial consequences among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), but there is concern regarding the current degree of physical inactivity in this population because of limitations with previous research and increased recognition of health behaviors in MS. This study compared physical activity levels between large samples of persons with mild MS and matched controls using validated measures of physical activity.

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the theoretical content of online physical activity information for people with multiple sclerosis. [2020] Physical activity can aid people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in managing symptoms and maintaining functional abilities. The Internet is a preferred source of physical activity information for people with MS and, therefore, a method for the dissemination of behavior change techniques. The purpose of this study was to examine the coverage and quality of physical activity behavior change techniques delivered on the Internet for adults with MS using Abraham and Michie's taxonomy of behavior change techniques.

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal change in physical activity and its correlates in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. [2022] Physical activity is beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but this population is largely inactive. There is minimal information on change in physical activity and its correlates for informing the development of behavioral interventions.

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of exercise and physical activity-interventions on step count and intensity level in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2023] Reduced physical activity is a worldwide challenge in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify devise-measured effects of physical activity, exercise and physiotherapy-interventions on step count and intensity level of physical activity in individuals with MS.