Multiple Sclerosis and Pilates

Determining the Impact of a Pilates Program in Multiple Sclerosis

Pilates is becoming popular among the multiple sclerosis (MS) community as an alternative to the more traditional exercise programs. Although somewhat limited, previous research has suggested Pilates may have some beneficial effects in MS. This 12-week, single-blinded, randomized controlled study has one intervention group (Pilates and massage therapy) and one control group (massage therapy only). The primary outcome of interest is the change in walking ability between groups. Secondary outcomes include other measures of physical performance and quality of life.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Pilates; Other: Massage

Detailed Description

In the recent 2015 MS Society of Canada MS Wellness Survey almost 25% of people indicated that they think physical activity is the most important area of wellness, yet physical inactivity is still common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). While some of this may be due to factors related to MS such as fatigue, pain, and physical restrictions, research has shown that exercise has beneficial effects on mobility, strength, balance, and overall quality of life. However, because the symptoms of MS vary, there is not one optimal exercise program that exists. Pilates may be a good exercise option for MS. Pilates focuses on body positions and movement, with specific attention on the core (stomach or trunk) muscles. Very few researchers have studied Pilates in MS, but those that have, noticed some improvements in walking, balance, and strength. There were no negative effects reported from the Pilates exercises, and the exercises can be adapted for all levels of ability in MS. We are interested in studying the effect of Pilates in MS. To do this, we will recruit 30 people with MS to participate in this study. Participants will be randomly put into either the Pilates group or the control group. Those individuals in the Pilates group will attend two 50-minute Pilates classes twice weekly, plus receive a weekly 1-hour massage therapy session. Individuals in the control group will only receive the weekly massage therapy session. At the end of the study (12 weeks), we will look to see if there are any differences between the two groups in walking ability. We will also compare other important outcomes such as muscle strength, balance, and quality of life between the two groups. Results from this study may provide individuals with another exercise option to help manage their MS and improve their wellness. Results will also be useful for organizations such as the MS Society to help make decisions about which programs and services to offer to individuals with MS.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Saskatchewan
    • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 5B2
      • College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Expanded Disability Status Scale of 8 or higher

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pilates and massage; Pilates (twice per week for 50 minutes) and massage (once per week for one hour)	Other: Pilates; Pilates; Other: Massage; Massage
Active Comparator: Massage; Massage (once per week for one hour)	Other: Massage; Massage

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change from baseline in distance during the 6-minute walk test	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change from baseline in balance score for the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale	12 weeks
Change in sit and reach test score for flexibility	12 weeks
Change from baseline in timed up and go test score	12 weeks
Change from baseline in physical activity level	12 weeks
Change from baseline in maximal isometric knee extension strength	12 weeks
Change from baseline in ability to recruit motor units	12 weeks
Change from baseline in ability to recruit motor units in a fatigued state	12 weeks
Change from baseline in trunk muscular endurance	12 weeks
Change from baseline in lean tissue mass	12 weeks
Change from baseline in fat mass	12 weeks
Change from baseline for score from the MS International Quality of Life questionnaire	12 weeks
Change from baseline in adverse events	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan
• Collaborators: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Charity Evans, PhD, University of Saskatchewan

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 27, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 27, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): December 30, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 28, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 27, 2018
• Last Verified: June 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2918

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No