Gait Training for Multiple Sclerosis
This study is testing different ways of treadmill training to improve walking speed, balance, and community walking for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). You would participate in one of four groups: high-intensity treadmill training, treadmill training with perturbations (shaky treadmill), standard treadmill training, or a combination of high-intensity and perturbations. Researchers will measure your walking speed, endurance, and balance before, during, and after 30 training sessions, and again six months later. To join, you must be 18-75 years old with a clinical diagnosis of MS and a stable disease course. The study aims to enroll 150 participants.
- Study design
- This interventional study will randomly assign participants with mild to moderate MS to one of four treadmill training groups. The study plans to enroll 150 participants.
- What's involved
- You would attend 30 one-hour training sessions. Your walking ability will be measured before training, after 5-6 weeks, after all sessions, and 6 months later.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your walking ability will be measured up to 6 months after all training sessions are completed.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
High-Intensity, Dynamic-stability Gait Training in People With Multiple Sclerosis
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
2 sites across 2 statesStudy leadership
- Brian D Schmit, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Marquette University
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Changes in Timed 25-foot walk testBefore training, 5-6 weeks after training begins, 1-2 weeks after all training sessions, 6 months after all training sessions
Gait speed will be measured using the timed 25-foot walk test. The test consists of walking 25 feet along a clearly marked walkway as quickly as possible while maintaining safety, using devices as needed. The task is repeated as the patient walks back the same distance. The average of the two trials is used as a measure of gait speed.
- Changes in 6-minute walk testBefore training, 5-6 weeks after training begins, 1-2 weeks after all training sessions, 6 months after all training sessions
The 6 minute walk test consists of a measurement of the distance walked in 6 minutes, using a walkway of at least 12 meters, with cones demarcating the turnaround points and instructions to walk as fast and as far as possible.
- Changes in Functional Gait Assessment (FGA)Before training, 5-6 weeks after training begins, 1-2 weeks after all training sessions, 6 months after all training sessions
The FGA measures dynamic balance during walking using a series of 10 tasks, with each item rated on a scale of 0-3 (maximum score = 30). Test components include walking on a level surface at normal pace with changes in gait speed, head turns, obstacle and narrow path negotiation, and on stairs.
- Changes in Daily stepping activityBefore training, 1-2 weeks after all training sessions, 6 months after all training sessions
Daily stepping activity will be obtained using the StepWatch (Modus, Washington DC), which is an ankle-worn accelerometer that has demonstrated the best accuracy of all commercial accelerometers. Data are collected in 1 min increments with daily stepping activity as the primary variable. Data will be collected for 7 days at each evaluation period.