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HomeResearch   Participate in Research Studies   Participate in a Clinical Trial

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Participate in a Clinical Trial

Without the participation of people with MS, it would be impossible to develop new and better therapies and other interventions.

Clinical Trial Finder

Search Results

Acceptability of Exoskeleton Assisted Walking for Persons With Mobility Issues Due to Multiple Sclerosis

Study Purpose

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Lack of physical activity is common in people with MS (pwMS). This can lead to several comorbid conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes and worse prognosis. An increasing number of studies suggest that physical exercise can play an important role in managing symptoms, preventing complications and comorbidities in pwMS, and may possibly be neuroprotective. However, doing exercise can be very challenging for pwMS who have moderate/severe mobility disability and who have problems with walking. In this project, the investigators will explore the use of a powered Exoskeleton as an exercise tool for people with moderate to severe difficulty walking due to MS. Powered Exoskeletons are wearable robots that offer opportunity to persons with lower limb weakness to stand and walk. The Exoskeleton-assisted training provides active training with potentially much less intervention needed from therapists. However, it is not clear whether pwMS can walk with a powered Exoskeleton at speeds and intensities sufficient to positively affect health and fitness outcomes. Thus, in this study, the investigators aim to explore whether using an Exoskeleton will enable people with MS to exercise at a moderate intensity and whether people with MS find this acceptable and safe to do on a regular basis. The investigators will also explore whether training with an Exoskeleton can improve walking. The investigators will train 12 patients with MS to walk with an Exoskeleton twice a week for 8 weeks. The investigators will compare the effects with another group of 12 patients who will do exercises with a fitness instructor twice a week for 8 weeks. The investigators will study whether walking with Exoskeleton is better than fitness training in terms of fitness outcomes, walking and cognitive, psychological factors.

Recruitment Criteria

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers are participants who do not have a disease or condition, or related conditions or symptoms

No
Study Type

An interventional clinical study is where participants are assigned to receive one or more interventions (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes.


An observational clinical study is where participants identified as belonging to study groups are assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.


Searching Both is inclusive of interventional and observational studies.

Interventional
Eligible Ages 18 Years and Over
Gender All
More Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - Diagnosis of MS as per the McDonald criteria (Polman et al.
, 2011).
  • - Age 18 years or older.
  • - Cognitive ability to give consent and participate in the protocol.
  • - Walking limitations with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores ranging from 5.0 to 7.5.
  • - Enough strength in hands and shoulders to support themselves standing and walking using crutches or a walker.
  • - Meet the general requirements to fit with the Phoenix Exoskeleton (160-190.5 cm in height, weight below 80 Kg, hip width no greater than 42.7 cm measured when sitting, healthy skin where it touches Phoenix Exoskeleton).
  • - Able to tolerate exercise twice per week as judged by the PI during screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • - Any illness, other than MS, affecting walking and exercise performance.
  • - Severe cognitive or behavioral impairment.
  • - Relapses 3 months prior to enrolment.
  • - Change in disease modifying drugs for MS 6 months before enrolment.
  • - Botulin toxin injections for the lower limbs the previous 3 months.
  • - Any medical contraindications to assisted walking (e.g., cardiovascular condition, weight-bearing restrictions, osteoporosis or other fracture risk, pregnancy, uncontrolled seizure).
  • - Significant flexion contractures limited to 35 degrees at the hip and 20 degrees at the knee that precluded Phoenix Exoskeleton fit.
  • - Psychopathology or other health conditions that the physiotherapist, in his or her clinical judgement, considers to be exclusionary to safely use an Exoskeleton.
  • - Living more than 20 miles away from the experiment location to reduce burden on patients due to the number of planned study visits.

Trial Details

Trial ID:

This trial id was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, providing information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants with locations in all 50 States and in 196 countries.

NCT04786821
Phase

Phase 1: Studies that emphasize safety and how the drug is metabolized and excreted in humans.

Phase 2: Studies that gather preliminary data on effectiveness (whether the drug works in people who have a certain disease or condition) and additional safety data.

Phase 3: Studies that gather more information about safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs.

Phase 4: Studies occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing, efficacy, or optimal use.

N/A
Lead Sponsor

The sponsor is the organization or person who oversees the clinical study and is responsible for analyzing the study data.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Principal Investigator

The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study.

Krishnan Padmakumari Sivaraman NairAnouska CarterChristine Smith
Principal Investigator Affiliation Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustSheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University
Agency Class

Category of organization(s) involved as sponsor (and collaborator) supporting the trial.

Other
Overall Status Recruiting
Countries United Kingdom
Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied.

Multiple Sclerosis, Pathologic Processes, Sclerosis, Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System, Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS, Autoimmune Diseases
Arms & Interventions

Arms

Placebo Comparator: Standard Exercise Training Programme

Participants will receive interventions by an exercise specialist based on the participant's tolerance. These sessions will be delivered by a exercise specialist.

Active Comparator: Exoskeleton Exercise Programme

The Phoenix Exoskeleton suit will be used in this study. It is a powered Exoskeleton, with a modular design. Participants will receive interventions by an research physiotherapist based on the participant's tolerance.

Interventions

Behavioral: - Standard Exercise Training

Participants will receive interventions by an exercise specialist for up to 30 minutes based on the participant's tolerance. The exercises used in control group will depend on the individual and their abilities as evaluated in the baseline assessment session. Possible exercises include arm crank, recumbent cycle, and chair exercises. These sessions will be delivered by a member of the research team.

Device: - Phoenix Exoskeleton suit

Participants will aim to walk wearing the Exoskeleton for up to 30 minutes. Based on the participant's tolerance, the duration of walking can be shorter and can be split into shorter intervals to achieve more activity. Over the sessions, based on the participants' tolerance, gradually the duration of walking can be increased with shorter breaks. This will be delivered by a research physiotherapist.

Contact a Trial Team

If you are interested in learning more about this trial, find the trial site nearest to your location and contact the site coordinator via email or phone. We also strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider about the trials that may interest you and refer to our terms of service below.

International Sites

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Status

Recruiting

Address

sheffield teching hospital NHS foundation trust

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2JF

Site Contact

KRISHNAN NAIR, FRCP

[email protected]

441142712769

Nearest Location

Site Contact

KRISHNAN NAIR, FRCP

[email protected]

441142712769


Resources

Clinical Trials in MS


The latest clinical research in MS, including trials funded by the Society and trials in progressive MS.

Read more

Read more

NARCOMS Patient Registry

Register as a willing MS research participant to facilitate multicenter studies. Initiated by the Consortium of MS Centers.

Visit NARCOMS

Visit NARCOMS

Posting a Trial

If you would like us to post a study on these pages, please email [email protected] to find out what information you need to submit for review.

Powered By

The content provided on clinical trials is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical consultation with your healthcare provider. We do not recommend or endorse any specific study and you are advised to discuss the information shown with your healthcare provider. While we believe the information presented on this website to be accurate at the time of writing, we do not guarantee that its contents are correct, complete, or applicable to any particular individual situation. We strongly encourage individuals to seek out appropriate medical advice and treatment from their physicians. We cannot guarantee the availability of any clinical trial listed and will not be responsible if you are considered ineligible to participate in a given clinical trial. We are also not liable for any injury arising as a result of participation.

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