Gut Microbiota Composition, Cognitive Function, and Physical Fitness in Multiple Sclerosis Patients (MSDANCE)

Effect of Dance Classes on Gut Microbiota Composition, Cognitive Function, and Physical Fitness in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The evidence suggests that multiple sclerosis (MS) induces a decline in motor and cognitive function and provokes a shift in gut microbiome composition in patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the effect of a 12-week dance class training program on the gut microbiota composition, motor function, and cognitive function of patients with MS.

The investigators will also study the following:

• The impact of organised physical activity on quality of life
• The impact of organised physical activity on body composition and metabolic parameters (e.g., insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, ect.)
• The impact of organised physical activity on physical fitness (e.g., VO2max, Power, ect.)

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sclerosis, Multiple
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Dance classes

Detailed Description

Progressive loss of lower extremity mobility and physical function is one of the most important and well-researched effects of MS. Additionally, there is evidence that MS patients have a moderate dysbiosis in the gut microbiota structure compared to healthy subjects, whereas recent studies have demonstrated the critical role the gut microbiome plays in preserving general health, including its potential impact on neurological disorders and the immune system. Even though research is still in its early stages, the gut microbiome may have a significant impact on MS. A plethora of physical exercise strategies are available in the literature to help MS patients with fatigue, motor function, and health-related quality of life. Despite the scarcity of specific research, embracing dancing courses for MS patients has promising potential health benefits. Importantly, apart from improved physical fitness and motor function, patients with MS may also experience dancing with various other advantages, such as emotional well-being and social interaction.

Objective: This proposal aims to investigate the effects of regular physical exercise, such as dancing classes, on the health of individuals with MS. MSDANCE will investigate the impact that a dancing class training program lasting twelve weeks had on the makeup of the microbiota in the gut, as well as the motor and cognitive functioning, physical fitness, quality of life, body composition, and metabolic parameters of patients with MS. Consequently, these observations will be compared with those of healthy subjects.

Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that regular physical exercise (dance class training program) will improve motor and cognitive functions, with an additional positive effect on the microbial composition in patients with MS. The investigators further hypothesize the improvement in the following variables: physical fitness, quality of life, body composition, metabolic parameters, etc.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 29
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Slovakia
  • Bratislava, Slovakia, 814 69
    • Department of Biological and Medical Science, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with multiple sclerosis, diagnosed according to official diagnostic criteria according to McDonald 2010
• Consent ability and written consent
• The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) <5.5
• age 30 - 50

Exclusion Criteria:

• serious comorbidities including psychiatric diseases
• Significant cognitive impairment, clinically relevant or progressive disease (e.g., liver, kidney, cardiovascular system, respiratory tract, vascular system, brain, metabolism, thyroid) that could affect the course of the study
• Clinically relevant addiction or substance abuse disorder (defined as alcohol, drug and drug abuse)
• Nicotine consumption of > 5 cigarettes per day and no willingness to stop consumption during therapeutic fasting.
• Simultaneous participation in an interventional study or participation in an interventional study in the last two months before study inclusion
• Malignant disease
• Insufficient mental possibility of cooperation Eating disorder

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dance; The patients persuading dance classes two times a wek for 3 months .	Other: Dance classes; A 12-week dance class training program two times a week for 3 months
No Intervention: Passive; The patients engage in no structured or self-induced physical exercise or activity (sedentary individuals)
No Intervention: Healthy subjects; The subjects engage in sports recreationally

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The shift in the mean gut microbiota diversity	Influence of the interventions on the Shannon index. The higher the index, the more diverse the species are in the habitat. The value of the Shannon-Weaver diversity index usually ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 and only rarely exceeds 4.5.	Change from baseline at 3 months
Change from baseline in the mean quantitative mobility and leg function performance	Influence of the interventions on a time in 25-Foot Walk. The longer the duration, the worse the outcome. Normal values: less than 4 seconds; Mild impairment: 4-5.99 seconds; Moderate impairment: 6-9.99 seconds; Severe impairment: 10 seconds or more.	Change from baseline at 3 months
Change from baseline in the mean quantitative upper extremity function performance	Influence of the interventions on a 9-hole Peg Test. The longer the duration, the worse the outcome. Values: 0 (completed without any delays) or more.	Change from baseline at 3 months
Differences in the mean quantitative maximal oxygen consumption	Comparison of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) within groups (MS pre-intervention vs. post-intervention) and between groups (healthy subjects vs. MS pre- and post-intervention). The higher the values, the better the outcome. The general ranges for VO2max in healthy adults are: Average Values: Men: 35-40 ml/kg/min, and Women: 27-31 ml/kg/min; Good Fitness Level: Men: 45-50 ml/kg/min and Women: 38-42 ml/kg/min; Excellent Fitness Level: Men: 55-60 ml/kg/min or higher, and Women: 47-52 ml/kg/min or higher.	Changes from baseline at 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Comenius University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Viktor Bielik, prof., Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 30, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 15, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 9, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 19, 2024
• First Posted (Estimated): January 24, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 24, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 19, 2024
• Last Verified: January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physical Activity; Gut Microbiome; Dance
• 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: 1/0260/21

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No