Clinical trial NCT05857280: EXOPULSE Mollii Suit, Motor Function & Multiple Sclerosis (EXOSEP 2)
Official title: The Effects of EXOPULSE Mollii Suit on Motor Functions in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis (EXOSEP 2)
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Sclerosis, Multiple
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
Spasticity, Muscle
Spastic
Lead sponsor: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-05-12
Enrollment: 36
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 75
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Brief summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to demonstrate the improvement of motor functions related symptoms in patients with MS and spasticity using Exopulse Mollii suit stimulation in Multiple Sclerosis patients with spasticity. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* to evaluate the short-term impact of EXOPULSE Mollii suit on balance in adult MS patients suffering from spasticity.
* to assess the effects of EXOPULSE Mollii suit on mobility, upper and lower limbs muscle tone, pain, fatigue and quality of life.

Participants will participate in:

* One baseline visit for inclusion during which the patient will undergo the first session (active or sham) along with evaluations (before and after the session)
* One visit after two weeks during which the patient will undergo the second session (active or sham) along with evaluations (before and after the session)
* One visit after two weeks of the second stimulation condition; the patients will undergo a third evaluation and receive the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit for the four-week open label phase and will use the suit at home for an active stimulation session every other day for four weeks.
* One visit at the end of the open label phase to perform the fourth and last evaluation and return the EXOPULSE Mollii suit.

Researchers will compare both Active and Sham groups to demonstrate the improvement of motor functions related symptoms in patients with MS and spasticity using Exopulse Mollii suit.

Detailed description: The study is a randomized crossover, sham-controlled, double-blind trial to demonstrate the improvement of motor functions and MS related symptoms following a single session of "active" versus "sham" EXOPULSE Mollii suit stimulation. in phase 1, the patient will receive two stimulations separated by a two-week washout period. The patients will be randomized to receive either active/sham or sham/active and both patients and investigators will be blinded to the order in which the stimulation will be given. A 2-week washout period should be enough to prevent a potential carry over effect. Two weeks after the end of phase 1, a second open label phase (phase 2) of this trial will be proposed to all patients where they will receive active stimulation every other day at home over four weeks (for a total of 14 sessions). This will help understand the long term effects of EXOPULSE Mollii suit stimulation on MS related symptoms.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Definite MS diagnosis according to the 2017 McDonald criteria since at least one month.
* Age between 18 and 75 years.
* Ability to walk freely or with the need of support (expanded disability status scale score (EDSS) \< 7).
* Being free of relapses in the last three months.
* Being able to understand verbal instructions.
* Having spasticity with a score of at least 1+ on the MAS.
* Having a BBS score ≤46 associated in the literature with a risk of fall.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Being included in another research protocol during the study period.
* Inability to undergo medical monitor for the study purposes due to geographical or social reasons.
* Having a cardiac stimulator, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, an intrathecal baclofen pump or other contraindications to using EXOPULSE Mollii suit.
* Being pregnant.
* Having a change in their pharmacological therapy in the last three months.
* Suffering from other somatic or neuropsychiatric diagnoses (e.g., arrhythmias, uncontrolled epilepsy, diseases causing osteoarticular and muscular pain).
* Having a body mass index above 35 kg/m\^2.
* In case of the introduction of a medical device other than EXOPULSE Mollii suit during the study period.
* Patients under juridical protection.
* Prisoners.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Balance using Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
timeFrame: To be assessed at baseline.
measure: Balance using Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
timeFrame: To be assessed at week 2.
measure: Balance using Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
timeFrame: To be assessed at week 4.
measure: Balance using Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
timeFrame: To be assessed at week 8.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Visual Analog Score for spasticity.
timeFrame: This to be assessed at baseline, then at week 2, week 4 and week 8.
measure: Mobility.
timeFrame: Two weeks after the second stimulation and 4 weeks later at the end of phase 2.
measure: Visual Analog Score for pain.
timeFrame: This to be assessed at baseline, then at week 2, week 4 and week 8.
measure: Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire.
timeFrame: Two weeks after the second stimulation and 4 weeks later at the end of phase 2.
measure: Overall Clinical improvement.
timeFrame: This to be assessed at baseline, then at week 2, and week 8.
measure: Blinding Questionnaire.
timeFrame: This to be assessed at baseline, then at week 2.
measure: Visual Analog Score for fatigue.
timeFrame: This to be assessed at baseline, then at week 2, week 4 and week 8.
measure: Muscle tone.
timeFrame: This to be assessed at baseline, then at week 2, week 4 and week 8.
measure: Fall Risk
timeFrame: Two weeks after the second stimulation and 4 weeks later at the end of phase 2.
measure: Weight.
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Height.
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Time Up and Go (TUG)
timeFrame: Baseline, and through study completion
measure: Body Mass Index (BMI)
timeFrame: Baseline
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Abu Dhabi
country: United Arab Emirates
facility: SSMC
Study officials:
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