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Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in multiple sclerosis: gait automaticity with and without fatigability

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in multiple sclerosis: gait automaticity with and without fatigability - fNIRS-MS1

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
DRKS
Registry ID
DRKS00015190
Enrollment
40
Registered
2018-11-23
Start date
2019-06-01
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2025-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

healthy people G35

Interventions

Group 1: Observation group: Adults (n = 20) aged 18-60 years with a confirmed MS diagnosis and an EDSS of 4.5 or less are included in the study. Before the main measurements start the level of fatiga

Sponsors

Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Institut III, Bereich Sportwissenschaft
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 60 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Inclusion criteria multiple sclerosis patients: - 18-60 years - secured MS diagnosis according to the revised McDonald criteria of 2010 (Polman et al., 2011) - Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-4.5 or walking ability of at least 200 m 2. Inclusion criteria healthy control group: - 18-60 years - No orthopedic or neurological diseases - Unlimited walking ability

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. MS: - less than 30 days after acute attack or last cortisone intake - visual disturbances - aphasia - epilepsy 2. Healthy Controls: - neurological and orthopaedic limitations

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
In this study, a portable fNIRS system (NIRSport, NIRx Medical Technologies, NY, USA) will be used to assess the hemodynamic response of the prefrontal cortex. The exact areas captured are the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (Brodmann area (BA) 9&46), the right and left frontopolar cortex (FPC) (BA10) and the right and left pars triangularis of the Broca areal (BA45). Therefore, the primary outcome is the oxyHb and the deoxyHb concentrations in those areas. Capturing fatigability is still challenging as there is a lack of reference data. Hence, we will use two different methods to make a rough categorization of whether patients have fatigability or not. The first method is the modified 6-min walking test Leone et al. 2016. Here, care will be taken not only to record the distance of the entire six minutes, but also the distance of every single minute. Based on these values the “distance walked index (DWI=([distance walked at minute n-distance walked at minute1]/distance walked at minute1)×100)” (Leone et al. 2016) will be calculated. The second method to categorize will be the expert meaning that is predicated on the videos made during the measurements (GoPro Hero 4, GoPro Inc., CA, USA). Based on predefined criteria, the videos will be evaluated for indications of fatigability by two independent observers (health professionals).

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
As complementary information, the socio-demographic (age and sex), anthropometric (height and weight) and disease-specific data (years since first onset of the disease, years since first diagnosis of the disease, MS-type and expanded disability status scale (EDSS)) will be listed for all patients. Before the measurements take place, the patients have to fill out two questionnaires. First, we will evaluate the patients’ self-report of their walking abilities by using the German version of the MSWS-12. The second questionnaire, the German version of the “Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive function” (Penner et al. 2009), is designed to estimate the subjective level of Fatigue. In order to not only record the hemodynamic response with the fNIRS, but also to be able to assess whether motor changes occur during the measurements, a standard gait analysis will be performed. Here, the outcome parameters of interest are double step length (DSL), gait velocity and the minimum toe clearance (MTC) as they are all indicators for a stable gait pattern. Additionally, the subjective exertion will be queried with the Borg scale before and after the measurements. During the whole measurement the heart rate will be assessed by a pulse watch (RS800CX Polar Electro Oy ®, Kempele, Finland). The outcome parameters are the mean heart rate and low frequency/high frequency band (LF/HF) ration calculated with the “Kubios HRV” software (Biosignal Analysis and Medical Imaging Group, University Kuopio, Finland; Version 2.2).

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactKim-Charline Broscheid

Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg Bereich Sportwissenschaft

kim.broscheid@ovgu.de03916754942

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026