Low Load Resistance Training Using Blood Flow Restriction for People With Multiple Sclerosis
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
MeSH terms: Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The Primary Aim of this research study is to determine the feasibility of 8 weeks of physical
      therapy strengthening exercises using blood flow restriction (BFR) in people with multiple
      sclerosis (MS) who have moderate-to-severe walking problems. BFR training involves placing a
      cuff on the leg being exercised in order to restrict blood flow. The cuff is attached to a
      specialized device that automatically detects the appropriate amount of pressure to place on
      the limb. Testing will occur before and after the 8-week treatment period.
    

Detailed description: 
      The Primary Aim of this research study is to determine the feasibility of 8 weeks of physical
      therapy strengthening exercises using blood flow restriction (BFR) in people with multiple
      sclerosis (MS) who have moderate-to-severe walking problems. BFR training involves placing a
      cuff on the leg being exercised in order to restrict blood flow. The cuff is attached to a
      specialized device that automatically detects the appropriate amount of pressure to place on
      the limb. Testing will occur before and after the 8-week treatment period.

      Specific Aim 1: Determine the feasibility of BFR by assessing recruitment rate, retention,
      adherence, satisfaction, and safety.

      Hypothesis: Feasibility will be demonstrated by: 1) enrolling 20 participants in 8 months, 2)
      retaining at least 16 (80%) participants, 3) 80% adherence to intervention, 4) 90%
      satisfaction with intervention, and 5) no serious adverse events related to the intervention.

      Specific Aim 2: Determine changes in knee and hip extension, hip abduction, and ankle
      plantarflexion muscle strength after the 8-week intervention.

      Hypothesis: Following intervention there will be clinically important within-group strength
      changes that correspond to established minimal detectable change values and which can be
      characterized as having at least a moderate effect size as defined by Cohen's d.

      Exploratory Aim: Explore changes in functional mobility (30-Second Sit-to-Stand, Berg Balance
      Scale, Timed 25-Foot Walk. 10-day average activity level) and self-report measures (12-Item
      MS Walking Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, MS Impact Scale-29, and Patient-Specific
      Functional Scale) after the 8-week intervention.
    

Intervention name(s): Blood Flow Restriction Exercise
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Following a 5-minute low intensity warm-up, the BFR cuff will be placed at the most proximal portion of the leg and dosed following standard BFR guidelines: 1 set of 30 reps, then 3 sets of 15 reps at 20-30% 1RM with up to 80% limb occlusion. Exercises will target bilateral 1) knee and hip extension, 2) hip abduction, and 3) ankle plantarflexion, as these muscles are important for functional mobility in people with MS.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Blood Flow Restriction; Resistance Training