Effect of Cooling on Balance Performance in Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cooling on balance performance on persons with MS(pwMS). Multiple studies have provided evidence that cooling can improve gait performance in MS; this will be the first study that examines the effect of cooling on balance. We hypothesize that persons with MS will have better balance performance when cooled, as opposed to a non-cooled condition. If our hypothesis is correct, it will suggest that physical therapists who work with pwMS can use cooling as a modality to improve balance. Outcomes will be shared via conference presentations through American Physical Therapy Association, Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Results will also be shared with academic colleagues at other teaching centers.

Although cooling has been studied for its effects on gait in pwMS, our study will be the first to observe its effectiveness in improving balance. We are operationally defining improvement in balance by increase in score in the mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test, a valid and reliable tool for measuring balance and performance in MS. We are operationally defining cooling by the wearing of a commercially available cooling vest. Participants will be identified by contacting local area MS practices and support groups as well as posting our study on ClinicalTrials.gov. Consent will be obtained at the physical therapy department of Hunter College. Consent is obtained when the potential subject arrives prior to obtaining any demographic or subject characteristic information. As this is a randomized crossover trial, participants will be randomized into either a cooled or non-cooled condition. Following completion of experiencing one condition, they will then "cross over" and experience the other condition; subjects previously in the cooled group will cross over to the uncooled group and subjects in the uncooled group will crossover into the cooled group. Procedures will take place in the Physical Therapy department at Hunter College. Each subject will have to attend the Hunter College Physical Therapy department for 60-90 minutes, 2 times, 1-2 weeks apart. Prior to randomization, the following demographic and subject characteristic data will be collected: 1. Subject demographics and characteristics, 2. Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 (MSIS-29), 3. Fatigue Severity Scale, 4. Mini BESTest, 5. Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), This data will be collected to get a better description of the subject. Data will be collected on paper forms. There will not be interview/focus groups/survey questions.

Following collection of this data subjects will be randomized into either a cooled or uncooled condition via picking odd or even numbers out of a hat.

Subjects will then ride a stationary bicycle in order to induce fatigue. The protocol for the stationary bike ride is as follows:

Depending on randomization, subjects will ride the stationary bike either wearing the cooling vest (cooled condition) or not (uncooled condition). Immediately after the biking the subjects will repeat the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test. One week later, the subjects will return and repeat the balance testing and biking but in the opposite condition to what they were tested in previously.