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Without the participation of people with MS, it would be impossible to develop new and better therapies and other interventions.
An Online Lifestyle Modification Course for People With Multiple Sclerosis
Study Purpose
Lifestyle factors are known to affect the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies of participants with MS attending an evidence-based lifestyle modification program, delivered via face-to-face workshops, have demonstrated improved mental and physical health, reduced relapse rate and improved quality of life over 3 years follow up, and that behaviour change was feasible and sustainable. However, the face-to-face modality of this educational intervention is resource intensive, and accessibility may be impeded by geography, cost, and MS-specific factors such as illness, fatigue, and disability. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the unpredictable ability to travel and the importance of flexibility of health-related education. The Neuroepidemiology Unit at the University of Melbourne has developed the Multiple Sclerosis Online Course (MSOC) to deliver a widely accessible and user-friendly educational tool for people with MS. The course aims to deliver the best available evidence regarding lifestyle-related risk factors in the development and progression of MS and behaviour modification to improve health outcomes. Two forms of the course were developed: 1. an intervention course delivering evidence-based information regarding modifiable lifestyle related risk factors implicated in disease progression; and. 2. a standard-care course, similar in format and presentation, but containing general information sourced from standard MS websites. Both courses have seven modules delivered over six weeks. A feasibility study involving the delivery of the intervention and standard-care course was conducted from April to June 2021. The study assessed the primary outcomes of attrition in both intervention and standard-care arm. Secondary outcomes assessed assessed learnability, accessibility, and desirability via a Likert scale follow-up survey. A qualitative analysis examining motivation, expectations and outcomes was also conducted. Tertiary outcomes assessed the completion of the baseline surveys, a requirement to enter the course. Based on the feasibility study, the investigators have modified recruitment strategies, functionality, and the community forum aspects of the course. Investigators now aim to test the effectiveness of the intervention arm of the course versus the standard-care arm in a larger randomised controlled trial. Objective: To prospectively examine whether an MS Online intervention course (intervention arm) can deliver an evidence-based educational intervention that results in behaviour change which can be sustained and translated into improved health outcomes for people with MS, and whether these effects are superior to the MS Online standard-care course (control arm). Participants who are 18 or older, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by a doctor are welcome to join our study. The online course will run for 6 weeks. During this time, there are no formal assessments or minimum time investment required, which means participants are free to navigate the course as they see fit. Prior to commencing the study, participants will be asked fill-out a survey about their health (e.g., fatigue) and lifestyle (e.g., diet) and will be asked to fill this out again during the study.
Recruitment Criteria
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Healthy volunteers are participants who do not have a disease or condition, or related conditions or symptoms |
No |
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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 |
Trial Details
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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. |
NCT05374473 |
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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 |
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Lead Sponsor
The sponsor is the organization or person who oversees the clinical study and is responsible for analyzing the study data. |
University of Melbourne |
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Principal Investigator
The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study. |
Sandra L Neate, Doctor |
| Principal Investigator Affiliation | University of Melbourne |
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Agency Class
Category of organization(s) involved as sponsor (and collaborator) supporting the trial. |
Other |
| Overall Status | Recruiting |
| Countries | Australia |
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Conditions
The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. |
Multiple Sclerosis |
| Study Website: | View Trial Website |
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