Monitoring Intensity During Balance Training in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis (BALANCE-MS)

September 14, 2026 updated by: Jens Bansi, Klinik Valens

Monitoring Intensity During Balance Training in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis - a Randomized Feasibility Study

Balance training is recommended to improve gait stability and mobility. However, there are currently no clearly defined methods for controlling the intensity (challenge) of balance training. This research project aims to determine whether balance training for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), individually tailored to the level of difficulty and exertion, is feasible and possible within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either they will complete group training focusing on strength, endurance, and balance in addition to their regular therapy program, or they will receive individually tailored balance training. Both groups will undergo an initial assessment followed by seven training sessions, each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Before discharge, the initial assessments will be repeated. These assessments include completing questionnaires, performing gait tests, balance tests, and a short cognitive test. Interviews will also be conducted with patients and therapists. These are intended to help better assess the feasibility of the training and to gain more insight into the experiences with the training.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
    • Canton of St. Gallen
      • Valens, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland, 7317
        • Recruiting
        • Rehabilitation Centre Valens
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jens Bansi, PhD
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Isa Slotboom, MSc
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Laura Engler, MSc

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with a definite MS diagnosis according to 2024 revised McDonald criteria;
  • Hold an Expanded disability status (EDSS) between 2.0-6.5;
  • An inpatient stay of at least three weeks at the ;
  • Aged 18 years and older;
  • Have sufficient knowledge of the German language (spoken and written).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cognitive impairment indicated by a score of <21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA);
  • Severe osteoporosis;
  • Fractures and/or other surgical interventions;
  • Presence of any other condition that would substantially influence balance;
  • Alcoholism;
  • Participation in another study;
  • Pregnancy.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Balance training
The balance training is performed three times per week over a period of three weeks with sessions lasting 45-60 minutes. The intervention is designed to meet the individual needs of pwMS and allows for challenging tasks, while guaranteeing safety by a harnass. During the first training session the appropriate exercise levels that target the adequate intensity are determined (baseline value). Moderate to high-intensive BT in this study is defined as a score of 7-9 points on the rate of perceived stability (RPS) scale and to fulfill the moderate to high-intensive characteristics on the therapists' scale. The intensity of each exercise (level of challenge during the exercise) is monitored and documented for both the therapists and pwMS. According to this feedback, progression is performed by systematically by in- or decreasing difficulty of the exercises.
Other: Balance training
The balance training is performed three times per week over a period of three weeks with sessions lasting 45-60 minutes. The intervention is designed to meet the individual needs of pwMS and allows for challenging tasks, while guaranteeing safety by a harnass. During the first training session the appropriate exercise levels that target the adequate intensity are determined (baseline value). Moderate to high-intensive BT in this study is defined as a score of 7-9 points on the rate of perceived stability (RPS) scale and to fulfill the moderate to high-intensive characteristics on the therapists' scale. The intensity of each exercise (level of challenge during the exercise) is monitored and documented for both the therapists and pwMS. According to this feedback, progression is performed by systematically by in- or decreasing difficulty of the exercises.
Active Comparator: Sporttherapy
The control group performs a standardized group training session (usual care, UC) that consists of strength, endurance, coordination, balance and mobility exercises. This training is part of standard care at the Rehabilitation Clinic Valens and is therefore not personalized for each participant. The training is performed three times per week over a period of three weeks with sessions lasting 45-60 minutes.
Other: Sporttherapy
The control group performs a standardized group training session (usual care, UC) that consists of strength, endurance, coordination, balance and mobility exercises. This training is part of standard care at the Rehabilitation Clinic Valens and is therefore not personalized for each participant. The training is performed three times per week over a period of three weeks with sessions lasting 45-60 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Balance capacity
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Balance capacity measured by the Mini Balance Evaluation system Test (Mini-Best). Measured with a score from 0-28, a higher score indicates a better balance capacity.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Cognitive processing speed
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Cognitive processing speed is measured with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Participants receive a sheet with a key of nine numbers (1-9) and symbols shown in pairs. In boxes below only the symbols are shown, and the participants must report the correct corresponding number. The number of correct answers made within 90 seconds is assessed. The oral form of the SDMT is used due to its non-sensitivity to motor disabilities of the upper extremities. Higher scores indicate higher cognitive processing speed.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mobility
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Measurement in seconds, a lower time indicates a better functional mobility.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Complex walking ability
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Complex walking ability measured by the Six Spot Step Test (SSST). Measurement in seconds for all trials and for the trials with the dominant and non-dominant leg, a lower time indicates a better complex walking ability.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Fatigue
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Fatigue measured with the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Function (FSMC) Questionnaire. A total score [20-100] and a motor and cognitive subscores [each 10-50] are calculated, a higher score indicates a higher fatigue.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Walking endurance
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Walking endurance measured with the 6 Minute Walking Test. Within this test the total distance [m], the 2 minute distance [m], and the steps [Number] and time [s] needed for 10 meters are measured.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks.
Fear of falling
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
Fear of falling is measured with the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Participants must answer 16 different questions regarding their fear of falling during activities of daily life. For each item the level of fear is assessed on a 4-point scale (from 1="not at all" to 4="very"). Scores range from 16-64, with higher scores indicating a higher fair of falling during daily activities.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
Health related quality of life
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
Health related quality of life is measured with the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-10 (PROMIS-10). They score each item on a 5-point scale and rate their pain from 0 to 10. The score is summarized to a mental and a physical health score, each from 0-20. With low scores indicating poor perceived health related quality of life.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Klinik Valens

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jens Bansi, PhD, Klinik Valens

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 6, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • BALANCE-MS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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