Examining the Effects of a Telehealth Self-management Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis

December 16, 2021 updated by: Matthew Plow, Case Western Reserve University

Examining the Effects of Physical Activity Promotion, Fatigue Management Education, and Social Support Using a Telehealth Intervention Approach Among Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

The objective of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of a telehealth intervention that supports individuals in managing fatigue and increasing physical activity (PA) behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The hypothesis is that a fatigue management plus physical activity intervention will significantly improve fatigue, quality of life, physical function, and community integration.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The long-term objective of this study is to use a telehealth intervention approach to reduce the devastating effects of the reciprocal relationship between fatigue and inactivity on quality of life and participation in life roles in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Chronic fatigue and inactivity are common problems in persons with MS, and the reciprocal relationship between fatigue and inactivity may have negative synergistic effects on quality of life and participation in life roles. The proposed study is novel in that it represents a multi-disciplinary effort to merge two promising lines of MS research: fatigue management and PA promotion. The proposed fatigue management plus PA intervention (FM+) will consist of incorporating a modified teleconference version of Packer et al.'s empirically-tested Fatigue Management program with innovative, yet simple approaches to promote lifestyle PA by encouraging goal-setting and self-monitoring with a pedometer. Ambulatory individuals with MS will be recruited and randomized into one of three telehealth interventions: social support intervention, PA-only intervention, and FM+.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

208

Phase

  • 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 Locations

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44106
        • Case Western Reserve University

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • A physician-confirmed diagnosis of MS

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Exercise more than 90 minutes per week
  • Pregnant
  • Metabolic or cardiopulmonary disease that puts patient at high risk for engaging in a home exercise program (patients with controlled diabetes and high blood pressure will still be considered eligible)
  • Four or more falls in the past 6 months
  • Be able to walk 25 feet with or without a cane or walker
  • Severe cognitive deficits
  • A condition besides MS that had lead to hospitalization in the past year

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: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Social Support Program
The social support program will consist of 6 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Topics will include information on MS, disease modifying medications, preventive screening, community organizations, nutrition, cognitive problems, and hiring an aide.
Behavioral: Social Support Program
The social support program will consist of 6 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Topics will include information on MS, disease modifying medications, preventive screening, community organizations, nutrition, cognitive problems, and hiring an aide.
Other Names:
  • Social support
Active Comparator: Physical Activity Program
The physical activity education program will consist of 3 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Subjects in this program will learn MS-specific benefits of physical activity, how to use a pedometer to self-monitor their progress for increasing physical activity levels, and learn strategies for maintaining their progress in the program.
Behavioral: Physical Activity Program
The physical activity education program will consist of 3 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Subjects in this program will learn MS-specific benefits of physical activity, how to use a pedometer to self-monitor their progress for increasing physical activity levels, and learn strategies for maintaining their progress in the program.
Other Names:
  • Physical Activity-only
Active Comparator: Physical Activity Plus Fatigue
The physical activity plus fatigue management education program will consist of 6 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Subjects in this program will learn MS-specific benefits of physical activity, how to use a pedometer to self-monitor their progress for increasing physical activity levels, and learn strategies for maintaining their progress in the program. In addition, subjects in this course will learn strategies to reduce fatigue, such as taking rest breaks and re-arranging workspace.
Behavioral: Physical Activity Plus Fatigue Management Education Program
The physical activity plus fatigue management education program will consist of 6 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Subjects in this program will learn MS-specific benefits of physical activity, how to use a pedometer to self-monitor their progress for increasing physical activity levels, and learn strategies for maintaining their progress in the program. In addition, subjects in this course will learn strategies to reduce fatigue, such as taking rest breaks and re-arranging workspace.
Other Names:
  • Physical Activity +

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes from baseline in physical activity levels
Time Frame: Each patient will be given the assessments at 3 points during the study, at baseline, interim test (an average of 12 weeks from baseline) and at posttest (an average of 24 weeks from baseline).
Physical activity behavior will be measured with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and accelerometers.
Each patient will be given the assessments at 3 points during the study, at baseline, interim test (an average of 12 weeks from baseline) and at posttest (an average of 24 weeks from baseline).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes from baseline in fatigue levels
Time Frame: Each patient will be given the questionnaire at 3 points during the study, at baseline, interim test (an average of 12 weeks from baseline) and at posttest (an average of 24 weeks from baseline).
Fatigue will be measured with the Fatigue Impact Scale.
Each patient will be given the questionnaire at 3 points during the study, at baseline, interim test (an average of 12 weeks from baseline) and at posttest (an average of 24 weeks from baseline).
Changes from baseline in quality of life
Time Frame: Each patient will be given the questionnaires at 3 points during the study, at baseline, interim test (an average of 12 weeks from baseline) and at posttest (an average of 24 weeks from baseline).
The SF-12, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, and Community Participation Indicator (CPI) will be administered.
Each patient will be given the questionnaires at 3 points during the study, at baseline, interim test (an average of 12 weeks from baseline) and at posttest (an average of 24 weeks from baseline).

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Case Western Reserve University

Collaborators

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Matthew A Plow, PhD, Case Western Reserve University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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

July 1, 2011

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 4, 2012

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 4, 2012

First Posted (Estimate)

April 6, 2012

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 6, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 16, 2021

Last Verified

December 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 03-14-19

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.

Clinical Trials on Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical Trials on Social Support Program

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in United States

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe