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Multiple SclerosisNCT06355804

Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Persons Newly Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis

A study testing Physical activity condition and Waitlist condition in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by University of Illinois Chicago at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The overall objective of the current study is to determine the efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered lifestyle behavioral intervention compared with a control condition (i.e., waitlist control) in persons newly diagnosed with MS (disease duration ≤ 2 years). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Multiple Sclerosis
What is being tested?
Physical activity condition and Waitlist condition
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
52 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
29 Apr 2024to 1 Dec 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • aged 18 years or older
  • self-reported diagnosis of MS by a neurologist within the past 2 years
  • relapse-free for the past 30 days
  • ability to speak and read English as primary language
  • internet and e-mail access, and willingness to complete the testing and questionnaires
  • ambulatory without an assistive device (e.g., cane)
Show all 9Show fewer
  • insufficiently active (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) < 14)
  • visual ability and literacy to read newsletter with font size 14 points
  • on a disease-modifying therapy.

Who cannot join

  • pregnant
  • have elevated risk for undertaking strenuous or maximal exercise based on two or more affirmatives on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Illinois Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612

Other trials in United States

About this study

The overall objective of the current study is to determine the efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered lifestyle behavioral intervention compared with a control condition (i.e., waitlist control) in persons newly diagnosed with MS (disease duration ≤ 2 years).

Specific Aim 1: To evaluate the changes in self-report and device-measured physical activity after the 16-week remotely delivered physical activity behavior change intervention compared with a control condition (i.e., waitlist control) in persons who have diagnosed with MS within the past two years. The investigators hypothesize that the 16-week behavior change intervention will yield greater improvements in physical activity levels than the control condition immediately after the intervention.

Specific Aim 2: To investigate the efficacy of the 16-week, remotely delivered physical activity behavior change intervention compared with the control condition for improvements in fatigue, depression, anxiety, and QoL in persons newly diagnosed with MS. The investigators hypothesize that there will be beneficial effects on the symptoms and QoL outcomes immediately after the physical activity intervention compared with minimal changes in the control condition.

Read the detailed description

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prevalent neurological disease of the central nervous system that is the leading cause of neurological disability among young adults in the United States. This disease results in the progressive loss of walking, substantial worsening of cognition, symptoms of fatigue, as well as compromised quality of life (QoL). There is evidence that physical activity is beneficially associated with walking mobility, cognitive function, symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain in persons with MS. Nonetheless, this population is strikingly sedentary and physically inactive, including persons newly diagnosed with MS (diagnosed with MS for two years or less). Indeed, approximately 40% of persons with MS reported stopping physical activity after an MS diagnosis, and persons recently diagnosed with MS have not been included in physical activity intervention research. Yet, the early stage of MS represents an ideal time point for initiating physical activity for life-long benefits. There is further evidence that physical activity and exercises interventions delivered remotely can yield benefits in managing MS symptoms and comorbidities, and disability progression. To this end, the objective of this current study is to examine the efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered behavioral intervention, compared with a control condition (i.e., waitlist control), for increasing physical activity and improving secondary outcomes in persons newly diagnosed with MS (disease duration ≤ 2 years). Participants will complete a series of assessments of physical activity, MS symptoms, and physical and cognitive function before and immediately after the 16-week program. The assessments involve the completion of a battery of questionnaires remotely over the Internet. The investigators will also ask that participants wear an accelerometer (like a pedometer) during the waking hours of the day for a 7-day period as an assessment of physical activity. The first assessments occur upon enrollment in the study (Baseline Assessment) and the second occurs right after the intervention (16- week Assessment). In this study, participants will be randomly assigned into 1 of 2 conditions: a physical activity condition (receive the intervention immediately after baseline assessment) or a waitlist condition (receive the intervention after the 16-week assessment). Participants in both conditions will receive access to an Internet delivered program for 16 weeks as well as one-on-one coaching through Zoom. The investigators will ask that participants in the physical activity condition wear a Fitbit (this is different from the accelerometer) for tracking physical activity daily during the 16- week period. The investigators will further ask that information from the Fitbit be recorded into a logbook daily.

Being tested
Physical activity condition, Waitlist condition
Keywords
Physical activity, Behavior change, Behavioral intervention
Medical subject headings
Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Activity

What participants receive

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

  • Physical activity conditionBehavioural

    Participants will receive a remote-delivered physical activity program for 16 weeks that includes access to electronic newsletters and regular chats over Zoom with a behavioral coach:

    • The newsletters provide behavioral strategies such as information on the benefits of physical activity, goal setting and monitoring, for increasing and maintaining physical activity levels.
    • Throughout the 16-week period, the investigators will ask participants to wear a Fitbit and record step count into a logbook daily for tracking physical activity.
    • The newsletter will be emailed to participants weekly throughout the program. The newsletters include knowledge, skills, and resources related to physical activity in the early stages of MS.
    • The program also involves 7 1-on-1 coaching chats with a coach to guide participants through the program and navigate challenges. These chats are conducted over Zoom and generally last about 15 - 30 minutes each. These sessions will not be recorded.
  • Waitlist conditionBehavioural

    Participants will receive access to a remote-delivered physical activity program for 16 weeks that includes access to electronic newsletters and regular chats over Zoom with a behavioral coach:

    • The newsletters provide information on the benefits of physical activity, goal setting and monitoring, and other behavioral strategies for increasing and maintaining physical activity levels.
    • The newsletter will be emailed to participants weekly throughout the program.
    • Content on the newsletter includes knowledge and skills related to physical activity in the early stages of MS, text of individuals with MS discussing their experiences, web links, worksheets, and brochures.
    • The program also involves 7 one-on-one video coaching chats with a behavioral coach to guide participants through the program and navigate challenges. These chats are conducted face- to-face over Zoom and generally last about 15 - 30 minutes each. The investigators do not record these sessions.
Study groups in NCT06355804
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Physical activity conditionExperimentalParticipants in this arm will receive a remote-delivered physical activity program for 16 weeks that includes access to electronic newsletters and regular one-on-one coaching chats (15 - 30 minutes) over Zoom with a behavioral coach after the baseline assessment. Throughout the 16-week period, The investigators will ask participants to wear a Fitbit (provided) for tracking daily physical activity.
Receives: Behavioral: Physical activity condition
Waitlist conditionOtherParticipants will receive access to a remote-delivered physical activity program for 16 weeks that includes access to electronic newsletters and regular one-on-one coaching chats (15-30 minutes) over Zoom with a behavioral coach after the follow-up assessment.
Receives: Behavioral: Waitlist condition

What is being measured

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

  1. Physical Activity Behavior

    Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ); scores range between 0 (min) and 119 (max), higher scores indicate greater engagement in physical activity behavior.

    Measured: Changes in the GLTEQ scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  2. Physical Activity Behavior

    International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); scores range between 0 (min) and 107 (max), higher scores indicate greater engagement in physical activity behavior.

    Measured: Changes in the IPAQ scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  3. Physical Activity Level (Light physical activity)

    Time (minutes/day) spent in light physical activity (LPA) will be measured by a waist-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph model GT3X+); participants will wear the accelerometer on a belt around their waist during the waking hours of a 7 day period; a longer time of LPA reflects a higher level of physical activity.

    Measured: Changes in time spent in LPA from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  4. Physical Activity Level (Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity)

    Time (minutes/day) spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) will be measured by a waist-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph model GT3X+); participants will wear the accelerometer on a belt around their waist during the waking hours of a 7 day period; a longer time of MVPA reflects a higher level of physical activity.

    Measured: Changes in time spent in MVPA from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  5. Physical Activity Level (Daily step count)

    Daily step count will be measured by a waist-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph model GT3X+); participants will wear the accelerometer on a belt around their waist during the waking hours of a 7 day period; a greater number of steps per day reflects a higher level of physical activity.

    Measured: Changes in time spent in daily step count from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Health-related quality of Life

    Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-12); scores range between 0 (min) and 100 (max), higher scores indicate better physical and mental aspects of quality of life.

    Measured: Changes in SF-12 scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  2. Health-related Quality of Life

    Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29); scores range between 0 (min) and 100 (max), higher scores indicate greater impact of disease on daily function (i.e. worse outcomes).

    Measured: Changes in MSIS-29 scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  3. Fatigue Severity

    Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS); scores range between 1 (min) and 7 (max), higher scores reflect greater fatigue severity.

    Measured: Changes in fatigue severity scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  4. Depressive Symptoms

    Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); scores range between 0 (min) and 21 (max), higher scores reflect greater frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

    Measured: Changes in depressive symptoms scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

  5. Anxiety

    Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); scores range between 0 (min) and 21 (max), higher scores reflect greater frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

    Measured: Changes in anxiety scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted9 Apr 2024
  2. Study start29 Apr 2024
  3. Primary completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)

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
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
52 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06355804
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY2023-1565
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
27 Mar 2024
Last updated
17 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Physical activity condition and Waitlist condition in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by University of Illinois Chicago at 1 site in United States.

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 9 inclusion and 2 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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?

Physical Activity Behavior (time frame: Changes in the GLTEQ scores from Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 16 weeks (post-intervention)). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. 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 17 Sep 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 2 Nov 2026.

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