Motor Training and White Matter in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The Influence of a tDCS Combined Long-term Motor Training Program on Structural White Matter Changes in the Brain, Functionality and Psychological Outcome Measures in Multiple Sclerosis.

Status

Terminated

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01279655

Enrollment

Registered

2011-01-19

Start date

2011-01-31

Completion date

2013-05-31

Last updated

2012-09-12

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

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Brief summary

In the current study the researchers will firstly investigate whether a bimanual coordination training protocol (20 min/day, for 8 consecutive weeks) correlates with changes in white matter architecture and improved upper-limb functionality in patients with multiple sclerosis. Secondly, the researchers predict that motor learning is more efficient when it is combined with anodal transcranial direct current (tDCS) stimulation on the left primary motor cortex.

Interventions

DEVICEtDCS

20 min, 1mA, 8 weeks (5 days a week, 20 min a day)

BEHAVIORALBimanual Training

The training program consisted of a bimanual etch-a-sketch task. By rotating two wheels subjects have to match a line presented on the screen with the cursor. 8 weeks (5 days a week, 20 min a day)

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 68 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores between 2 and 6.5 * Stable MS (no relapse during the last 3 months before study onset) * age: between 18 and 68 years

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with other pathologies associated with peripheral and/or central sensory dysfunction or under psychotropic or antiepileptic medication. * Standard TMS/tDCS and MRI

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in White Matter	Baseline, immediately after and 3 weeks after the intervention	Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) T1 structural scan Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery Scan (FLAIR) Magnetization Transfer Imaging (MTI)

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in Quality of Life	Baseline, immediately after and 3 weeks after the intervention	Questionnaire
Blood sample	After the end of the study	BDNF Genotyping

Countries

Belgium

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026