Online Physical Activity Intervention for Multiple Sclerosis

(eHAPA-MS Trial)

Overseen By Chungyi Chiu, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Disqualifiers: High exercise score, No internet, Wheelchair, Non-English, 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 aims to explore how an online program can help people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) increase their physical activity. Participants will engage with a special internet-based class, the MSPA eClass, designed to encourage more movement and assess its effectiveness and ease of use. The trial seeks individuals who have MS, haven't been very active recently, and can walk with or without assistance. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for those with MS.

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 seems focused on physical activity, so you may not need to change your medication routine, but it's best to confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that this online intervention is safe for people with Multiple Sclerosis?

Research has shown that exercise programs for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are generally safe. A review found that these programs do not increase the risk of relapses, meaning a worsening of symptoms.

Online programs that encourage physical activity, like the one being tested here, have been used before and are well-tolerated. Similar studies have reported no serious side effects.

Since this trial tests an exercise program, not a drug, it is likely to be safe and well-received by participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the MSPA eClass because it offers a new way to help people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) stay active without needing to visit a clinic or gym. Unlike traditional in-person physical therapy sessions, this online program can be accessed from home, making it more convenient and accessible for individuals with mobility challenges. The MSPA eClass empowers participants to manage their condition with guided exercises and support, potentially improving their quality of life and fostering a sense of community among users.

What evidence suggests that the MSPA eClass is effective for promoting physical activity in people with Multiple Sclerosis?

Research has shown that online exercise programs can benefit people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Studies have found that these internet-based programs increase exercise frequency and step count. They also help manage fatigue, a common issue for those with MS. Additionally, these programs have been linked to improved thinking speed, often affected by MS. Overall, this evidence suggests that online exercise programs could be a promising way to enhance physical activity and manage symptoms for people with MS. Participants in this trial will either receive the MSPA eClass, an online physical activity intervention, or be placed on a waiting list. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Chungyi Chiu, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 with Multiple Sclerosis who haven't had a relapse in the last 30 days. They should be able to walk (with or without help), not currently active (less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days), and have safe levels for exercise. Participants need internet access, as they'll complete online surveys and wear an activity tracker.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants have Internet access

I can walk by myself or with help from a device.

Participants are willing to be randomized to an intervention or control group, complete the surveys and questionnaires, and wear an accelerometer during the intervention period

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in the eHAPA-MS online intervention to promote physical activity

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for effectiveness and adherence after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• MSPA eClass

Trial Overview

The study tests an online program called eHAPA-MS designed to encourage physical activity among people with Multiple Sclerosis. It's based on the Health Action Process Approach, which focuses on personal motivation and planning. Participants will either receive this intervention or be placed in a control group by chance.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: MSPA eClass Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Waiting list Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lead Sponsor

Trials

203

Recruited

40,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

The study involving 208 adults with multiple sclerosis showed that a telephone-delivered fatigue self-management intervention (FM+) significantly reduced self-reported fatigue and increased physical activity compared to a contact-control group after 14 weeks.

The physical activity-only intervention (PA-only) also improved moderate-to-vigorous exercise and step count compared to the control group, indicating that both interventions can positively impact physical activity levels in individuals with MS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Telephone-Delivered Physical Activity and Fatigue Self-management Interventions in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis. Plow, M., Finlayson, M., Liu, J., et al.[2020]

A web-based physiotherapy intervention helped most participants with multiple sclerosis increase their physical activity levels, primarily through twice-weekly sessions, highlighting its convenience and flexibility.

Feedback from participants emphasized the importance of having supportive supervision from physiotherapists and the need for open discussions about realistic expectations, especially for those with progressive disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A qualitative exploration of the participants' experience of a web-based physiotherapy program for people with multiple sclerosis: Does it impact on the ability to increase and sustain engagement in physical activity? Dennett, R., Coulter, E., Paul, L., et al.[2023]

The Multiple Sclerosis Tailored Exercise Program (MSTEP) is being tested in a one-year randomized controlled trial with 240 participants to determine if it leads to greater improvements in exercise capacity and related health outcomes compared to general exercise guidelines.

The study aims to address unique barriers to exercise for people with MS, focusing on outcomes like functional ambulation, strength, and quality of life, which are crucial for managing the disease effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of exercise in modifying outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized trial. Mayo, NE., Bayley, M., Duquette, P., et al.[2021]

A study analyzing 20 websites for physical activity information for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) found that they covered an average of only 8 out of 20 behavior change techniques, indicating a lack of comprehensive resources.

The overall quality and coverage of the information were low, with average scores of 0.64 and 0.62 on a scale of 0 to 2, suggesting that improvements are needed in how these techniques are presented online to better support individuals with MS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the theoretical content of online physical activity information for people with multiple sclerosis. Shirazipour, CH., Baillie, CP., Galaviz, K., et al.[2020]

The MOVE MS program, a once-weekly group exercise initiative based on Social Cognitive Theory, showed potential as a feasible long-term exercise option for individuals with multiple sclerosis, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there were non-significant improvements in exercise participation and several MS-related symptoms among the 17 participants who completed the 7-month program, the study highlights the importance of addressing barriers to sustained exercise in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Results of the MOVE MS Program: A Feasibility Study on Group Exercise for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Adamson, B., Wyatt, N., Key, L., et al.[2023]

Training for and participating in a unique expedition led to a significant reduction in motor fatigue among participants with multiple sclerosis, particularly those with mild disability, indicating potential benefits of physical activity in this population.

Despite some minor medical events reported, no major adverse events occurred, suggesting that the expedition was safe for participants with MS, especially those without cardiovascular risk factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a 5-day expedition to machu picchu on persons with multiple sclerosis. D'hooghe, MB., Feys, P., Deltour, S., et al.[2021]

An International Consensus Meeting has recommended a core set of outcome measures for exercise studies in multiple sclerosis (MS), which includes tools like the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and the 6-Minute Walk Test, to standardize data collection and improve the robustness of future research.

By using these standardized measures, researchers can better assess the effects of exercise on MS, ultimately leading to more effective treatment recommendations and improved patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Core outcome measures for exercise studies in people with multiple sclerosis: recommendations from a multidisciplinary consensus meeting. Paul, L., Coote, S., Crosbie, J., et al.[2019]

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]

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]

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