Blood Flow Restriction And Veterans With MS (NCT05433103) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Blood Flow Restriction And Veterans With MS
United States58 participantsStarted 2023-01-01
Plain-language summary
There currently is a lack of evidence to support exercise interventions in people with advanced disability due to MS (i.e., need assistance to walk or use a wheelchair). This project proposes to study a strength training program using blood flow restriction (BFR) in people with advanced disability due to MS. BFR uses a device that partially blocks blood flow to the exercising limb and causes a response in the muscle which can replicate the effects of high-intensity training using much lower intensities. This is ideal for people with MS who have advanced disability, as they often cannot tolerate higher intensity exercise due to severe weakness and fatigue. By studying BFR training in people with advanced disability due to MS, the investigators hope to help improve strength, mobility, fatigue, and quality of life in people with MS. This study will target enrollment of Veterans with MS, who tend to have more advanced disability than non-Veterans with MS.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Confirmed diagnosis of MS
. Age 18-75
. Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) 4 to 7
Exclusion criteria
. PDDS 8: Unable to sit in a wheelchair for more than one hour.
. PDDS 3 or less: MS does not interfere with my activities, especially my walking. I can work a full day, but athletic or physically demanding activities are more difficult than they used to be. I usually don't need a can or other assistance to walk, but I might need some assistance during an attack.
. Moderate to Severe cognitive impairment as identified by the St. Louis University Mental Status Exam Score \<=20
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Quadriceps muscle strength
Timeframe: Change in muscle strength between Baseline (Week 0) and Primary Endpoint (Week 11)
. History of deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, peripheral vascular disease, thrombophilia, clotting disorders
. Systolic BP \>= 180 mmHg or Diastolic BP \>= 110 mmHg.
. Any comorbid conditions or pain that substantially affects physical function or would interfere with the participant's ability to safely complete rehabilitation (e.g. neurologic, vascular, cardiac problems, orthopedic, or ongoing medical treatments) as determined by a neurologist or physical therapist
. Patient report of easy bruising
. Severe lower extremity spasticity as defined as Modified Ashworth scale \>2.