Clinical trial NCT04906057: The Therapeutic Effects of Forced Aerobic Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis
Official title: The Therapeutic Effects of Forced Aerobic Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis
Keywords: aerobic exercise
gait
Lead sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-05-28
Enrollment: 22
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 75
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: rater-blind, prospective randomized trial
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This project will investigate the feasibility and initial efficacy of two aerobic exercise training approaches, forced and voluntary, to improve motor function in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). We hypothesize that intensive aerobic exercise training elicits a neurorepairative and neurorestorative response on the central nervous system, which may improve motor function as it relates to gait and mobility. Should aerobic cycling, forced or voluntary, improve gait and functional mobility in persons with MS, it would serve as a new model to restoring function, rather than current models that focus on compensation.

Detailed description: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system characterized by progressive loss of motor function, cognitive function, in addition to symptoms of fatigue and depression. These motor and non-motor symptoms negatively affect the individuals' walking ability, functional mobility, quality of life, ability to maintain gainful employment, and social engagement. Identifying rehabilitation approaches that may delay disease progression or restore lost neurologic function would have considerable impact in the field. The goal of this project is to investigate the feasibility and initial efficacy of forced or voluntary aerobic exercise training to improve gait, functional mobility, fatigue and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Current rehabilitative approaches for PwMS focus on training compensatory strategies rather than restoring neurological function. Substantial evidence indicates that aerobic exercise (AE) training has the potential to enhance neurological function by restoring and repairing damaged cells, leading to improvements in gait, balance, and cognitive function in PwMS. Despite evidence of the potential disease-modifying properties of AE, numerous physical, behavioral, and logistical barriers prevent PwMS from achieving and maintaining AE of sufficient intensity and duration to capitalize on the neurophysiologic benefits of training. Forced exercise (FE) is a novel approach to AE training that has been successfully applied to individuals with Parkinson's disease and stroke, in which the voluntary efforts of the individual are augmented, allowing for disease-altering effects of intensive exercise training. During FE, pedaling cadence on a stationary cycle is augmented by a motor to assist, but not replace, the voluntary efforts of the individual. It is hypothesized that PwMS cannot sustain high rates of voluntary exercise necessary to elicit neural repair; therefore, FE is necessary to overcome physical, behavioral and logistical barriers to enhance neuroplasticity to improve gait, QOL, and the ability to participate in life activities. Positive results from our FE trials in Parkinson's disease and stroke have guided us in designing the scientific methodology for the proposed trial in PwMS. Twenty adults with relapsing-remitting MS and mild to moderate gait impairment will be randomized to undergo 1) FE or 2) voluntary aerobic exercise (VE). Both groups will attend 2X/week for 12 weeks. Exercise variables will be collected for each session as a measure of feasibility to determine how PwMS respond to each exercise approach. Clinical, biomechanical, and self-reported outcomes will be gathered prior to, after, and 4-weeks after the intervention to determine the effects of both modes of exercise on spatiotemporal and kinematic characteristics of gait, functional mobility, balance, fatigue, physical activity levels, and quality of life. Should our findings confirm our hypothesis that intensive exercise training can have disease-altering effects, a new direction for MS rehabilitation approaches would ensue, empowering PwMS to take control of their disease to improve function and reduce disability.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Confirmed diagnosis of RRMS with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 1.5 and 6.5,
2. 18-75 years of age,
3. Deemed minimal risk for cardiovascular event using American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Pre-participation Criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

1. hospitalization for myocardial infarction, heart failure or heart surgery within 3 months,
2. serious cardiac arrhythmia,
3. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
4. severe aortic stenosis,
5. pulmonary embolus,
6. significant contractures,
7. dysphagia resulting in inability to sufficiently hydrate, and
8. other contraindication to exercise.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Exercise Duration
timeFrame: collected during each exercise session (twice per week for 12 weeks)
measure: Aerobic Intensity
timeFrame: Collected during each exercise session (twice per week for 12 weeks)
measure: Exercise Cadence
timeFrame: collected during each exercise session (twice per week for 12 weeks)
measure: Six Minute Walk Test
timeFrame: Week 0 (baseline), Week 13 (post exercise sessions)
measure: Gait Velocity
timeFrame: Week 0 (baseline), Week 13 (post exercise sessions)
measure: PROMIS-29
timeFrame: Week 0 (baseline), Week 13 (post exercise sessions)
measure: Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS)
timeFrame: Week 0 (baseline), Week 13 (post exercise sessions)
measure: Multiple Sclerosis Manual Dexterity Test
timeFrame: Week 0 (baseline), Week 13 (post exercise sessions)
measure: Processing Speed Test
timeFrame: Week 0 (baseline), Week 13 (post exercise sessions)
Secondary outcomes:
measure: To Investigate the Role of Klotho in Promoting Neuroprotection.
timeFrame: Week 1 (exercise session 1), Week 12 (exercise session 24)
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Cleveland
country: United States
facility: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
state: Ohio
city: Cleveland
country: United States
facility: Cleveland Clinic
state: Ohio
Study officials:
affiliation: The Cleveland Clinic
name: Susan M Linder, DPT
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: