Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remittingNCT07890974
Tai Chi Training for Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.
A study testing Tai Chi training in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remitting, run by Karolinska Institutet at 1 site in Sweden.
Trial summary
Tai Chi combines strength and neuromuscular training with diaphragmatic breathing, attention, imagery and relaxation. After an initial learning period, participants can practise independently, potentially supporting self-efficacy and sustained self-management. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remitting
- What is being tested?
- Tai Chi training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSweden
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2025to Mar 2028
- 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
- Inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, definite MS diagnosis, ability to walk more than 100 m, no relapse or pharmacological treatment adjustment in the preceding eight weeks, no Tai Chi practice in the preceding six months, and ability to understand and communicate in Swedish or English. -
Who cannot join
- Exclusion criteria are dementia, alcoholism and serious medical comorbidity preventing participation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Assessing Tai Chi Based Rehabilitation to Improve Physical and Mental Health of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.
Tai Chi combines strength and neuromuscular training with diaphragmatic breathing, attention, imagery and relaxation. After an initial learning period, participants can practise independently, potentially supporting self-efficacy and sustained self-management. Studies in chronic disease report benefits for physical function and psychological wellbeing.
We will evaluate a 12-week Tai Chi rehabilitation programme in a clincial trial. The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) is the primary clinical outcome, reflecting the physical and psychological consequences of multiple sclerosis (MS). Assessments take place before training and at 12 weeks (the primary endpoint).
The study will address whether Tai Chi improves physical and mental health; reduces fatigue, anxiety, depression and pain; improves lower-limb strength, gait and balance; and improves quality of life and self-efficacy.
Read the detailed description
The randomized controlled trial compares 12 weeks of Tai Chi. The intervention comprises two 75-minute sessions each week. Clinical outcomes are measured before and after training to examine the maintenance of benefits and self-management behaviours.
Inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, definite MS diagnosis, ability to walk more than 100 m, no relapse or pharmacological treatment adjustment in the preceding eight weeks, no Tai Chi practice in the preceding six months, and ability to understand and communicate in Swedish or English. Exclusion criteria are dementia, alcoholism and serious medical comorbidity preventing participation.
Participants are recruited through MS and rehabilitation clinics in Region Stockholm, Neuro Sweden and social media advertisements. Screening confirms eligibility and provides a baseline assessment. Oral and written information is given and informed consent obtained before enrollment. Baseline data include age, sex, civil and employment status, and disease characteristics, including MS severity. Participants may withdraw without consequences for their care.
Tai Chi programme Training comprises three components: warm-up exercises to improve mobility and flexibility, reduce tension and introduce relaxed breathing; simple Tai Chi movements and a short sequence to develop coordinated, gentle weight shifts; and Standing like a Tree Qigong to develop upright posture, relaxation and breathing awareness. The programme teaches foundational skills and supports regular practice that can be integrated into daily living.
Participants are encouraged to maintain their usual activities but avoid starting additional exercise programmes during the intervention. Home Tai Chi practice is encouraged and recorded. Four make-up classes per month are available, and participants receive an instructional video to support continued practice after the supervised programme.
Clinical outcome measures MSIS-29 assesses the physical and psychological impact of MS [15]. Secondary outcomes are fatigue (FSMC), anxiety and depression (HADS), pain (BPI-SF), and lower-limb strength (30-second chair-stand). Gait is assessed with the 10-metre walk test and 6MWT, and balance with the Mini-BESTest. Quality of life is assessed with the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ), and self-efficacy with the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease scale (SEMCD) [16-24]. Self-efficacy is of particular interest because confidence in managing symptoms may support continued use of rehabilitation skills.
- Being tested
- Tai Chi training
- Keywords
- multiple sclerosis, rehabilitation, physical health, mental health
- Medical subject headings
- Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, Multiple Sclerosis, Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tai Chi trainingOther
Training comprises three components: warm-up exercises to improve mobility and flexibility, reduce tension and introduce relaxed breathing; simple Tai Chi movements and a short sequence to develop coordinated, gentle weight shifts; and Standing like a Tree Qigong to develop upright posture, relaxation and breathing awareness. The programme teaches foundational skills and supports regular practice that can be integrated into daily living.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi training | Other | Not described Receives: Other: Tai Chi training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
MSIS-29
MSIS-29 assesses the physical and psychological impact of MS
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2025
- Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remittingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Karolinska InstitutetThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karolinska Institutet
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Manuel Zeitelhofer, Karolinska Institutet
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07890974
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023-03661-01
- Other IDs
- 2023
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessing Tai Chi Based Rehabilitation to Improve Physical and Mental Health of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07890974
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2023-03661-01
- Keywords
- multiple sclerosis, rehabilitation, physical health, mental health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Karolinska InstitutetUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Mar 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Tai Chi combines strength and neuromuscular training with diaphragmatic breathing, attention, imagery and relaxation. After an initial learning period, participants can practise independently, potentially supporting self-efficacy and sustained self-management. Studies in chronic disease report benefits for physical function and psychological wellbeing.
We will evaluate a 12-week Tai Chi rehabilitation programme in a clincial trial. The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) is the primary clinical outcome, reflecting the physical and psychological consequences of multiple sclerosis (MS). Assessments take place before training and at 12 weeks (the primary endpoint).
The study will address whether Tai Chi improves physical and mental health; reduces fatigue, anxiety, depression and pain; improves lower-limb strength, gait and balance; and improves quality of life and self-efficacy.
Detailed description
The randomized controlled trial compares 12 weeks of Tai Chi. The intervention comprises two 75-minute sessions each week. Clinical outcomes are measured before and after training to examine the maintenance of benefits and self-management behaviours.
Inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, definite MS diagnosis, ability to walk more than 100 m, no relapse or pharmacological treatment adjustment in the preceding eight weeks, no Tai Chi practice in the preceding six months, and ability to understand and communicate in Swedish or English. Exclusion criteria are dementia, alcoholism and serious medical comorbidity preventing participation.
Participants are recruited through MS and rehabilitation clinics in Region Stockholm, Neuro Sweden and social media advertisements. Screening confirms eligibility and provides a baseline assessment. Oral and written information is given and informed consent obtained before enrollment. Baseline data include age, sex, civil and employment status, and disease characteristics, including MS severity. Participants may withdraw without consequences for their care.
Tai Chi programme Training comprises three components: warm-up exercises to improve mobility and flexibility, reduce tension and introduce relaxed breathing; simple Tai Chi movements and a short sequence to develop coordinated, gentle weight shifts; and Standing like a Tree Qigong to develop upright posture, relaxation and breathing awareness. The programme teaches foundational skills and supports regular practice that can be integrated into daily living.
Participants are encouraged to maintain their usual activities but avoid starting additional exercise programmes during the intervention. Home Tai Chi practice is encouraged and recorded. Four make-up classes per month are available, and participants receive an instructional video to support continued practice after the supervised programme.
Clinical outcome measures MSIS-29 assesses the physical and psychological impact of MS [15]. Secondary outcomes are fatigue (FSMC), anxiety and depression (HADS), pain (BPI-SF), and lower-limb strength (30-second chair-stand). Gait is assessed with the 10-metre walk test and 6MWT, and balance with the Mini-BESTest. Quality of life is assessed with the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ), and self-efficacy with the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease scale (SEMCD) [16-24]. Self-efficacy is of particular interest because confidence in managing symptoms may support continued use of rehabilitation skills.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi training | Other | Other: Tai Chi training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, definite MS diagnosis, ability to walk more than 100 m, no relapse or pharmacological treatment adjustment in the preceding eight weeks, no Tai Chi practice in the preceding six months, and ability to understand and communicate in Swedish or English. -
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Exclusion criteria are dementia, alcoholism and serious medical comorbidity preventing participation.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi trainingTraining comprises three components: warm-up exercises to improve mobility and flexibility, reduce tension and introduce relaxed breathing; simple Tai Chi movements and a short sequence to develop coordinated, gentle weight shifts; and Standing like a Tree Qigong to develop upright posture, relaxation and breathing awareness. The programme teaches foundational skills and supports regular practice that can be integrated into daily living. | Other | Tai Chi training |
Primary outcome
MSIS-29
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
MSIS-29 assesses the physical and psychological impact of MS
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Oct 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Tai Chi training in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remitting, run by Karolinska Institutet at 1 site in Sweden.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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 23 Oct 2026. 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 Sweden. 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?
MSIS-29 (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks). 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 23 Oct 2026.