Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programme in People With Multiple Sclerosis: The RECONNECT-MS Study (NCT07666958) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programme in People With Multiple Sclerosis: The RECONNECT-MS Study
Czechia45 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a comprehensive rehabilitation programme can improve physical function, reduce fatigue, and raise quality of life in adults aged 18-65 with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study will also look at whether the programme leads to changes in brain function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does the programme lower the overall impact of MS on daily life?
* Does the programme improve walking, balance, and hand function?
* Does the programme reduce the impact of fatigue?
* Are there changes in brain connections after the programme?
Each participant serves as their own comparison. They are tested 3 times: 2 months before the programme starts (T0), right before it starts (T1), and after 2 months of intensive treatment (T2). The period between T0 and T1, when no treatment is given, shows each person's natural changes over time.
Participants will:
* Attend individual physiotherapy twice a week for 2 months, then 3 follow-up sessions over the next month
* Take part in 3 group movement-awareness sessions
* Take part in 3 group psychotherapy sessions focused on stress management and relaxation
* Receive written nutritional guidance for autoimmune conditions
Tests include physical assessments, questionnaires about fatigue and quality of life, tremor measurement, and brain MRI scans.
The results may help improve rehabilitation care for people with MS and support their ability to stay active in everyday and working life.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
* Unambiguous clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (any subtype, including relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive)
* Age 18-65 years
* Predominantly motor disability with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 2-6
* No relapse within the past month
* Able to attend outpatient physiotherapy regularly and motivated to participate in the programme
* Able and willing to complete 3 sets of clinical examinations and 3 MRI examinations
Exclusion Criteria:
* Conditions impairing mobility (e.g., severe injuries, orthopaedic problems, other neurological conditions)
* Acute inflammatory conditions or infections at the time of programme initiation that could affect the results or safety of the participant
* Change or planned change of treatment (including disease-modifying therapy or corticosteroid therapy) within the past month or during the programme
* Contraindications to MRI examination (e.g., first-trimester pregnancy, presence of a pacemaker, defibrillator, older metallic joint replacements, or other metallic implants)
* Long-term planned absence during the programme (e.g., holiday, surgical procedure)
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
Change in MS-specific health impact (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, MSIS-29 total score)
Timeframe: Change from baseline (T1, immediately before intervention start) to T2 (2-month intensive intervention phase)