Remote Exercise Training for Multiple Sclerosis

(FERLAMS Trial)

Overseen By Robert Motl, Ph.D

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Disqualifiers: Age, MS diagnosis, Physical activity, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a special exercise program can improve life for Hispanics/Latinos with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will engage in a 4-month, remote program featuring various exercises, such as aerobics and flexibility training. Researchers aim to determine if this improves physical function, fatigue, mood, and overall well-being. They also examine how factors like income or social support influence results. This trial suits those with MS who haven't experienced a relapse in over 30 days, live in Chicago, and are not very active. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how exercise can benefit the MS community.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on exercise training for people with multiple sclerosis.

What prior data suggests that this exercise training program is safe for individuals with multiple sclerosis?

Research has shown that exercise is safe for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies have found no increased risk of relapses or serious side effects for those who exercise compared to those who do not. Exercise programs, including aerobic and resistance activities, improve physical fitness and quality of life. Participants have reported better overall well-being without major safety concerns. Therefore, for those considering joining a trial focused on exercise, current evidence supports the safety of these activities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Remote Exercise Training for Multiple Sclerosis program because it offers a fresh approach by delivering exercise training remotely, which is a big step forward for accessibility and convenience. Unlike traditional therapies that often require in-person visits, this program enables participants to engage in aerobic and resistance exercises from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, the program includes a flexibility component, focusing on improving range of motion, which can be a critical area of need for those with multiple sclerosis. This remote delivery method not only makes it easier for participants to stick with the program but also allows for personalized adjustments to exercise routines, potentially leading to better outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this exercise training program is effective for multiple sclerosis?

Research has shown that exercise programs can help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) by improving balance, enhancing physical abilities, and reducing fatigue. In this trial, participants will join one of two different exercise programs. The Exercise Training Program, which includes aerobic and resistance exercises, has helped older adults with MS improve both cognitive and physical abilities. Meanwhile, the Flexibility Program focuses on enhancing flexibility and range of motion. Stretching exercises have shown promise in improving leg flexibility, which is crucial for maintaining mobility. Overall, exercise is well-supported as a means to improve quality of life and manage symptoms for those with MS. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Robert Motl, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois Chicago

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Hispanic/Latino individuals aged 18-65 living in Chicago with MS, who are not currently very active. They must be relapse-free for at least a month, able to walk (with or without help), have internet access, and be safe to exercise.

Inclusion Criteria

Insufficient physical activity (i.e., not meeting current physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week)

I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

I have been free from cancer relapse for at least 30 days.

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to speak, read, and understand English

I am unwilling to complete all required tests and questionnaires.

Too much physical activity (i.e. 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-3 months

Baseline Measures

Baseline measures are taken before the intervention begins

1 week

Exercise Intervention

Participants engage in a 4-month remotely-delivered exercise training intervention including aerobic and resistance exercises

16 weeks

Remote sessions with one-on-one coaching

Control Condition

Participants in the control group engage in flexibility exercises through telerehabilitation

16 weeks

Remote sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exercise Training Program
• Flexibility Program

Trial Overview The study tests if a remote 4-month exercise program can improve physical function and quality of life in Hispanics/Latinos with MS. It includes flexibility and aerobic/resistance training guided by coaches compared to a control group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise Training Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a theory-based, remotely-delivered exercise training program that includes aerobic and resistance exercise training.

Group II: Flexibility Program Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a remotely-delivered flexibility program, focusing on improving flexibility and range of motion.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Exercise training is now widely recommended for managing multiple sclerosis (MS), reflecting over 25 years of research supporting its benefits for individuals with the condition.

The paper highlights eight emerging research areas, such as behavior change interventions and telerehabilitation, that could enhance the effectiveness and implementation of exercise in clinical practice for MS patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current perspectives on exercise training in the management of multiple sclerosis. Motl, RW., Sandroff, BM.[2021]

A systematic review of 19 studies found that exercise training, particularly adapted modalities like body-weight support treadmill training and electrical stimulation cycling, can lead to significant improvements in mobility, physical fitness, and quality of life for individuals with severe mobility impairment due to multiple sclerosis (MS).

While conventional exercise training showed some benefits, the majority of positive outcomes were associated with adapted exercise approaches, highlighting the need for accessible exercise interventions for people with MS who have high levels of disability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of exercise training in adults with multiple sclerosis with severe mobility disability: A systematic review and future research directions. Edwards, T., Pilutti, LA.[2022]

Web-based interventions have a short-term positive effect on increasing self-reported physical activity in ambulant individuals with multiple sclerosis, with a standardized mean difference of 0.67 based on meta-analysis of 4 studies.

While there is evidence of increased physical activity from self-reports, the current research lacks long-term data and does not include interventions for individuals with more severe mobility limitations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of and User Experience With Web-Based Interventions in Increasing Physical Activity Levels in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. Dennett, R., Gunn, H., Freeman, JA.[2019]

The BASE-MS study is a 4-month randomized controlled trial involving 72 participants with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis, designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a remotely supervised exercise program based on established guidelines.

This research aims to assess not only the safety and feasibility of remote exercise delivery for MS patients but also to gather data on exercise participation and its impact on symptoms and behavior change, which could inform future interventions for neurological conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changing Behaviour towards Aerobic and Strength Exercise (BASE): Design of a randomised, phase I study determining the safety, feasibility and consumer-evaluation of a remotely-delivered exercise programme in persons with multiple sclerosis. Learmonth, YC., Kaur, I., Baynton, SL., et al.[2021]

A study involving 30 participants with Multiple Sclerosis showed that a telerehabilitation (TR) program is a feasible alternative to conventional physical therapy, lasting 8 weeks and conducted via real-time telecommunication.

The TR program demonstrated comparable efficacy to in-person physical therapy, as both methods led to improvements in gait and balance without significant differences in patient-reported outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telerehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a Randomized Feasibility and Efficacy Pilot Study. Fjeldstad-Pardo, C., Thiessen, A., Pardo, G.[2020]

A systematic review of 40 randomized controlled trials involving 1780 participants found that exercise training does not increase the risk of clinical relapse or adverse events in individuals with multiple sclerosis, suggesting it is a safe intervention.

The analysis showed no significant differences in the rates of relapse, adverse events, or serious adverse events between exercise training and non-exercise groups, supporting the promotion of exercise as a beneficial activity for people with MS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of exercise training in multiple sclerosis: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Learmonth, YC., P Herring, M., Russell, DI., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 26 randomized controlled trials involving 1295 participants found that exercise training in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) did not increase the risk of relapse, with a relapse rate of 4.6% for exercise compared to 6.3% for control.

The study also reported that the rate of adverse events (AEs) was similar between exercise (2.0%) and control (1.2%) groups, indicating that exercise training is generally safe and does not pose a higher risk of AEs compared to healthy populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The safety of exercise training in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Pilutti, LA., Platta, ME., Motl, RW., et al.[2022]

Progressive resistance training (PRT) is shown to significantly improve muscle strength in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), based on a systematic review of 16 studies.

While PRT shows positive trends in improving functional capacity, balance, and self-reported measures like fatigue and quality of life, the evidence is less robust, indicating a need for more focused research on these outcomes and the underlying mechanisms involved.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multiple sclerosis and progressive resistance training: a systematic review. Kjølhede, T., Vissing, K., Dalgas, U.[2022]

A randomized controlled trial with 126 participants showed that internet-based exercise training (e-training) significantly improved muscle strength and lung function in persons with multiple sclerosis after three months, but did not affect health-related quality of life.

The e-training program, which included home-based aerobic and strength training, is considered a feasible method for providing individualized exercise support to pwMS, highlighting its potential for large-scale implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-Supported Physical Exercise Training for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis-A Randomised, Controlled Study. Tallner, A., Streber, R., Hentschke, C., et al.[2022]

Recent studies indicate that physical exercise programs are safe and effective for improving various physiological functions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Implementing exercise in rehabilitation strategies can lead to functional improvements that positively impact the daily lives of MS patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Exercise and MS Recommendations. Dalgas, U., Ingemann-Hansen, T., Stenager, E.[2022]

Home-based exercise training (HBET) is beneficial, feasible, and safe for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), as shown in a systematic review of 24 studies.

The review highlighted that while HBET can improve physical fitness and quality of life, challenges such as adherence to exercise programs and the need to assess disability-related outcomes remain important areas for future research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Home-Based Exercise Training in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review with Implications for Future Research. Ghahfarrokhi, MM., Banitalebi, E., Negaresh, R., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12374876/

Functional exercise training in persons with multiple sclerosis Various exercise modalities have been shown to effectively reduce numerous MS symptoms, improve physical function, and have beneficial effects ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39038700/

Protocol for an NIH stage-I randomized controlled trial A 16-week theory-based, remotely-delivered, exercise training program for improving cognitive and physical functions in older adults with MS.

3. bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13102-025-01146-x

Internet-based exercise and physical activity promotion for ... We evaluated the effects of a 12-week internet-based exercise and physical activity promotion program for persons with multiple sclerosis.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034825003657

Exercise Training in Multiple Sclerosis: Preparing for ... Benefits include improving balance, physical and cognitive function, fatigue, depression, quality of life and other outcomes (Du et al., 2024; Li et al., 2023).

5. pcori.org pcori.org/research-results/2016/comparing-clinic-based-versus-home-based-exercise-programs-among-people-multiple-sclerosis-teams-study

Comparing Clinic-Based versus Home-Based Exercise ... In this study, the research team compared people who received an exercise program led by a therapist in the clinic with those who received the same program at ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10637110/

Safety of exercise training in multiple sclerosis - PubMed Central In studies that reported safety outcomes, there was no higher risk of relapse, AE, adverse effects or SAE for exercise training than the comparator.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10660496/

An Overview of Physical Exercise Program Protocols and ... In summary, in people with MS, a supervised and customized exercise program can improve physical fitness, functional capacity, quality of life, ...

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02297932

Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Novel ... Physical activity and exercise interventions in multiple sclerosis (MS) have received great attention most recently and there exists several randomized clinical ...