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Characterizing Perceived Physical Fatigability in Nusinersen-treated SMA

Characterizing Perceived Physical Fatigability in Nusinersen-treated Adolescents and Adults: The SMA EFFORT

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06955897
Enrollment
45
Registered
2025-05-02
Start date
2025-04-24
Completion date
2027-02-26
Last updated
2026-05-14

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

Conditions

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Keywords

spinal muscular atrophy, neuromuscular disease, nusinersen, fatigability, exercise, SMA, fatigue

Brief summary

The purpose of this project is to investigate the utility of the SMA EFFORT, an SMA-specific patient-reported outcome measure, to assess perceived physical fatigability that is anchored to intensity and duration of activities. We aim to characterize perceived physical fatigability (PPF) in a diverse cohort of people with SMA (pwSMA) and evaluate the change of PPF before and after nusinersen dosing.

Detailed description

Fatigue and fatigability are symptoms often experienced by people living with spinal muscular atrophy (pwSMA). Nusinersen is shown to extend survival and improve motor function, but fatigue and fatigability persist. Treated patients report changes in their ability to complete repetitive physical activities but a way for measuring this has not been created. While tests completed in the clinic by individuals with SMA highlight that fatigability is an important part of the SMA experience,we do not fully understand how pwSMA experience fatigability with everyday tasks. Anecdotal reports of pwSMA suggest a waning effect in endurance toward the end of their treatment window, however this change has not been measured.The SMA EFFORT is specifically designed for pwSMA and aims to better understand how they feel when completing daily physical activities.

Interventions

OTHERObservational

Observational

Sponsors

Columbia University
Lead SponsorOTHER
Biogen
CollaboratorINDUSTRY

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. All types of 5qSMA (homozygous deletion or point mutation of the SMN1 gene and any number of SMN2 copies) 2. Receiving a stable dosing regimen of 12 or 28 mg nusinersen for at least 6 months

Exclusion criteria

1. An injury or surgery within the previous 3 months that would impact their ability to perform in-clinic function and/or fatigability assessments 2. Enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial, or extension study, expanded access program, or long-term registry of an investigational or recently approved medication 3. Receiving adjuvant and/or dual therapy (e.g., muscle-targeted, NMJ, or symptomatic treatments)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
SMA EFFORTBaseline, 1 week, 1 monthThe SMA EFFORT is a perceived physical fatigability patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that provides a percent (PPF%) total score to each participant based on their participation over the past 30 days.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM)BaselineThe RULM is used to assess motor function of the shoulder, mid-level elbow, wrist, and hand.
Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE)BaselineThe HFMSE is a 33-item scale designed to assess gross motor function in sitters and walkers with SMA.
Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)BaselineThe 6MWT is an objective evaluation of functional exercise capacity which measures the maximum distance a person can walk in six minutes over a 25-meter linear course.
Six-Minute Mastication Test (6MMT)BaselineThe 6MMT is a measure of chewing endurance in which the individual is asked to continuously chew on a chewing tube for a period of six minutes.
Endurance Shuttle Box and Block Test (ESSBT)BaselineThe ESSBT is a test of upper limb function that has been adapted to assess performance fatigability in SMA.
Endurance Shuttle Nine-Hole Peg Test (ESNHPT)BaselineThe ESNHPT is used to assess more distal, fine motor upper extremity performance fatigability.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTRafael Rodriguez-Torres, DPT
rsr2157@cumc.columbia.edu3472877093
CONTACTCara Kanner, DPT
chy2112@cumc.columbia.edu516-581-8150
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJacqueline Montes, Pt, EdD

Columbia University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 15, 2026