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Multiple SclerosisNCT02421744

A Task-oriented Circuit Training in Multiple Sclerosis

A study testing Task Oriented Circuit Training and Delayed Onset TOCT in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by University Hospital of Ferrara at 2 sites in Italy.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Our primary hypothesis is that a two weeks high-intensity task-oriented circuit training followed by a structured 3 months home exercise program would have higher benefits compared to a delayed-treatment group as control in people with multiple sclerosis and mild to moderate gait impairment. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
Conditions the study is for
Multiple Sclerosis
What is being tested?
Task Oriented Circuit Training and Delayed Onset TOCT
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
35 participants
Where
2 sitesItaly
Study dates
Mar 2015to Oct 2018
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • males and females,
  • community dwelling,
  • age >18 and <75
  • diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in a stable phase, with relapses > 3 months prior to study enrollment
  • moderate gait impairments referred to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) between 4 and 5,5
  • MMSE >24

Who cannot join

  • neurologic conditions in addition to multiple sclerosis that may affect motor function
  • medical conditions likely to interfere with the ability to safely complete the study
  • pregnancy

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Italy2 sites
  • Ferrara University Hospital

    Ferrara

  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana

    Pisa

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: A Task-oriented Circuit Training in Multiple Sclerosis: a Multicentric Randomized Controlled Trial

Our primary hypothesis is that a two weeks high-intensity task-oriented circuit training followed by a structured 3 months home exercise program would have higher benefits compared to a delayed-treatment group as control in people with multiple sclerosis and mild to moderate gait impairment.

Our secondary hypothesis is that there could be retention of clinical gains in subjects that underwent TOCT plus structured 3 months home exercise program.

Read the detailed description

This is a single blind randomized-controlled trial to test the effects of a task oriented training on locomotor function, mobility and balance in multiple sclerosis subjects with mild to moderate gait impairments (EDSS 4-5.5).

Subjects and methods:54 multiple sclerosis patients will be recruited in two outpatient rehabilitation clinics (Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria di Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana). Informed consent will be obtained. Participants enrolled will be included in 2 different treatment groups: experimental group will receive 10 TOCT sessions over 2 weeks (2 hours/each session) followed by a 3 months home exercise program, whereas control group will be included into a delayed-treatment group. Three subjects with a supervisor physiotherapist will take part at the TOCT. Primary outcome measure will be walking endurance (Six Minute Walking Test); as secondary outcome we will test gait speed (Timed 25-Foot Walk), balance (Dynamic Gait Index) and mobility (Time Up and Go Test); through self-assessment questionnaires we will evaluate motor fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale - MFIS), walking ability (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale - 12), health-related quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale - 29 and Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis). In addition to clinical outcomes, in a convenience sample we will have: (i) balance assessment (force platform); (ii) motorcortex oxygenation during walking (fNIRS); (iii) muscle oxygenation (NIRS); (iv) force and EMG signal; (v) mechanical and electrical fatigue assessment; (vi) brain connectivity (EEG). Outcome measures will be assessed 1 week prior to treatment initiation (T0), after two weeks to treatment initiation (T1), after the 3 months exercise program (T2) and at 3 months follow-up (T3) to evaluate treatments retention, by a clinician blinded to the treatment.

The specific aims will be (i) to test the effects on walking, mobility, balance, fatigue and health-related quality of life; (ii) to test the effects on cerebral oxygenation (fNIRS) during walking; (iii) muscle oxygenation (NIRS); (iv) force and EMG signal; (v) Mechanical and electrical fatigue assessment; (vi) brain connectivity (EEG) and (vii) to investigate the 3 months home exercise program's feasibility, satisfaction and adherence.

Being tested
Task Oriented Circuit Training, Delayed Onset TOCT
Keywords
rehabilitation, Multiple Sclerosis, mobility, gait, task-oriented training
Medical subject headings
Multiple Sclerosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Task Oriented Circuit TrainingBehavioural

    TOCT includes six different workstations in which subjects exercise for 5 minutes in each one (3 minutes of exercise and 2 minutes of rest). During each session, subjects undergo 2 laps that take about 60 minutes (6 workstation × 5 minutes × 2 laps), with 10 minutes of rest after each lap. In addition, walking endurance is trained by 30 minutes walking on the treadmill including rests if necessary. This is a progressive circuit and subjects while exercising receive feedbacks (visual and auditory) by the physiotherapist. Rests are used to discuss about difficulties and to provide further feedbacks. One session includes up to 3 patients and lasts 120 minutes, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. After this period they will receive a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

  • Delayed Onset TOCTBehavioural

    The control group will not receive any specific rehabilitation treatment for gait performance and mobility improvement. At any case, the control group will be authorized, at will, to exercise in non-rehabilitative contexts (i.e. swimming, walking, yoga) for 14 weeks. After this period they will receive TOCT as treatment plus a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.

Study groups in NCT02421744
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Task Oriented Circuit TrainingExperimentalTOCT includes six different workstations in which subjects exercise for 5 minutes in each one (3 minutes of exercise and 2 minutes of rest). During each session, subjects undergo 2 laps that take about 60 minutes (6 workstation × 5 minutes × 2 laps), with 10 minutes of rest after each lap. In addition, walking endurance is trained by 30 minutes walking on the treadmill including rests if necessary. This is a progressive circuit and subjects while exercising receive feedbacks (visual and auditory) by the physiotherapist. Rests are used to discuss about difficulties and to provide further feedbacks. One session includes up to 3 patients and lasts 120 minutes, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. After this period they will receive a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.
Receives: Behavioral: Task Oriented Circuit Training
Delayed Onset TOCTActive comparatorThe control group will not receive any specific rehabilitation treatment for gait performance and mobility improvement. At any case, the control group will be authorized, at will, to exercise in non-rehabilitative contexts (i.e. swimming, walking, yoga) for 14 weeks. After this period they will receive TOCT as treatment plus a home-exercise maintenance program for 3 months.
Receives: Behavioral: Delayed Onset TOCT

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Six-Minute Walking Test

    The walking endurance is measured with the Six-Minute Walking Test. Subjects are instructed to walk up and down as far as possible a 22m walkway in six minutes, with the possibility to slow down and rest if necessary.

    Measured: Weeks: 0,2,14, 26

Secondary outcomes (13)
  1. Timed 25-Foot walk (25FWT)

    a quantitative measure of lower extremity function, also included in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) . The patient is directed to one end of a clearly marked 25-foot course and is instructed to walk 25 feet (7.62m) as quickly as possible, but safely, using the prescribed assistive devices. The task is immediately administered again by having the patient walk back the same distance. Test will be performed according to the instructions reported on the manual of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society .

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  2. Time Up and Go Test

    Subjects will be given verbal instruction to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, cross a line marked on the floor, turn around, walk back, and sit down. A study staff member will guard the subject during the test. Subjects will perform 3 trials and the time it takes to perform each trial will be recorded with a stopwatch.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  3. Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)

    Assesses individual's ability to modify balance while walking in the presence of external demands

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  4. Modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS)

    The MFIS is a modified form of the Fatigue Impact Scale (Fisk et al, 1994) based on items derived from interviews with MS patients concerning how fatigue impacts their lives. This instrument provides an assessment of the effects of fatigue in terms of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  5. Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale - 12 (MSWS-12)

    The 12-item multiple sclerosis walking scale (MSWS-12) is a self-report measure of the impact of MS on the individual's walking ability.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  6. Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale- 29 (MSIS-29)

    This is an health-rated quality of life questionnaire that assesses the impact of MS on physical and psychological functions. It is formed by 29 items on ADL I and II: 20 about physical activity and 9 of psychological status of the person. Each item can be scored with a value from 0 to 5; total score is given by the sum of all the items and then is transformed in a range from 0 to 100. A higher value correspond to a worse perception of subject's HRQoL.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  7. Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS)

    Quality of life instrument of for use in people with MS. Consists of 59 items (44 of which are scored) in six quality of life domains. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  8. Metabolic cerebral measurements by Near infrared spectroscopy

    Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive, portable technique for ambulatory or remote monitoring of human motor-cortex oxygenation changes in response to motor tasks. Patients will walk on the treadmill at a speed of 0.2 km/h assisted by personnel and with partial body weight support, performing 4 short tasks (30 seconds of walking) alternated by rest periods (30 seconds).

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  9. Postural sway (Center of pressure (COP) trajectories)

    Center of pressure (COP) trajectories

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  10. Force and EMG signal (perform an isometric extension of the knees on an isokinetic dynamometer (PrimusRS BTETM Technology), achieving their own Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC)

    Patients will perform an isometric extension of the knees on an isokinetic dynamometer (PrimusRS BTETM Technology), achieving their own Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) during a set of 3 seconds trials.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  11. Mechanical and electrical fatigue assessment (evaluated measuring sustained contractions in isometric tasks in lower limbs on an isokinetic dynamometer (PrimusRS BTETM Technology)

    Muscle fatigue will be evaluated measuring sustained contractions in isometric tasks in lower limbs on an isokinetic dynamometer (PrimusRS BTETM Technology), maintaining a MVC for knee and ankle extension for 60 s.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  12. Brain plasticity and connectivity (High density EEG and vertical electrooculogram (EOG) will be recorded with a standard bipolar 64-channels montage and a DC-coupled amplifier (Micromed SD MRI, System Plus acquisition software)

    High density EEG and vertical electrooculogram (EOG) will be recorded with a standard bipolar 64-channels montage and a DC-coupled amplifier (Micromed SD MRI, System Plus acquisition software).

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

  13. Metabolic muscular measurements by Near infrared spectroscopy

    Noninvasive muscle measurements will be performed at gastrocnemius by an optical imaging system consisting of 2 light source fibers and 2 detector fibers.

    Measured: weeks: 0,2,14, 26

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Apr 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startMar 2015
  3. Primary completionOct 2018
  4. Study completionOct 2018

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
35 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02421744
Sponsor's protocol ID
Studio multicentrico TOCT SM
Status last verified
May 2017
First submitted
19 Jan 2015
Last updated
29 Nov 2018
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Task Oriented Circuit Training and Delayed Onset TOCT in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by University Hospital of Ferrara at 2 sites in Italy.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Nov 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Six-Minute Walking Test (time frame: Weeks: 0,2,14, 26). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Nov 2018.

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A Task-oriented Circuit Training in Multiple Sclerosis | AzTrials