Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Keywords
Mobility, walking aids, falls, gait and balance
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a training program in the use of ambulatory assistive devices (such as canes, walkers, etc) can reduce falls and increase functional mobility and neural connectivity in people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Detailed description
40 people with Multiple Sclerosis, who routinely use ambulatory assistive devices and have fallen at least once in the past year, will be randomized into two groups. One group will receive a 6-week training program in the use of their assistive device; the other group will be wait-listed, and may choose to receive the training after their participation in the study is completed. All participants will receive mobility assessments at baseline, 6-8 weeks later, and 3 months after that. All participants will record their falls on falls calendars. Participants in the training group will receive MRI scans to assess neural connectivity at baseline and after completion of the training program. The purpose of the study is to determine whether participation in the training program reduces falls and increases functional mobility when compared to the wait-listed group, and also to determine whether any change in neural connectivity, as assessed by MRI scans, is seen in those who participate in the training.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALAssistive Device Training
Six-week training program on the proper use of the subject's assistive device (eg. cane, walker, etc).
Sponsors
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland VA Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Multiple Sclerosis of any type, * self-reported history of at least 1 fall in the previous year, * able to walk at least 25 feet with or without an assistive device, * clinically stable Multiple Sclerosis (no relapse in 30 days prior to enrollment), * intermittent or constant unilateral or bilateral assistance required to walk, * right-handed, willingness to remain consistent with medication use and level of physical activity for the duration of the study.
Exclusion criteria
* serious psychiatric or medical conditions that would preclude reliable participation in the study, * dementia (MMSE \<24), * deafness, * blindness, * inability to follow directions in English, * significant upper extremity tremor or weakness, * more than 1 hour of assistive device training within the previous 3 years, * any exclusions to receiving MRI scans (implanted devices, anxiety, claustrophobia, body weight over 350 lbs).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in Functional Mobility at Completion of Training and the Following Three Months | At baseline, 1 week after completion of training, 3 months later | Timed Up and Go test, Timed 25-Foot Walk, 2 minute timed walk), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 |
| Change from Baseline in Falls at Completion of Training and the Following Three Months | First week of training, last week of training, 3 months later | Change in rate of falls between time frames |
| Change from Baseline in Functional Neural Connectivity (fMRI) at Completion of Training | At baseline, 1 week after completion of training | Resting-state (task free) functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fcMRI) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in Multiple Sclerosis Impact at Completion of Training and the Following Three Months | At baseline, 1 week after completion of training, 3 months later | Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 |
| Change from Baseline in Physical Activity at Completion of Training and the Following Three Months | At baseline, 1 week after completion of training, 3 months later | International Physical Activity Questionnaire |
| Change from Baseline in Satisfaction with Assistive Device at Completion of Training and the Following Three Months | At baseline, 1 week after completion of training, 3 months later | Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technologies |
| Change from Baseline in Balance Confidence at Completion of Training and the Following Three Months | At baseline, 1 week after completion of training, 3 months later | Activities-specific Balance Confidence Questionnaire |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed