TRAIN-BW: Backward Walking Training in Multiple Sclerosis

NCT04091464 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: URG20192020
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience in impairments in mobility and cognition that increase the risk for accidental falls. More than 50% of individuals with MS experience injurious falls within a 6-month period. Current interventions to improve fall risk have focused on forward walking (FW) and balance training, resulting in small declines in the relative risk for falls with a large degree of variability. Interestingly, motor differences between MS and healthy controls are more pronounced in backward walking (BW), yet no studies have investigated BW training as an intervention to reduce fall risk in persons with MS. This study will investigate the feasibility, acceptability and impact of BW training compared to forward walking training on motor function and fall risk in persons with MS.

Conditions

Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Accidental Fall; Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Backward Walking; Neurorehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Sway during quiet stance

  Measured with APDM Sensors

  Change in sway at 8 weeks

• Stepping latency on push-and-release test

  Measured with APDM Sensors

  Change in stepping latency at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)

  8 weeks

• Patient Global Impression of Change

  8 weeks

• Number of Active Minutes

  Change in Physical Activity measures at 8 weeks

• Number of Falls

  6 months

• Forward and Backward Velocity and Double Support Time

  Change in velocity and double support time at 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

TRAIN-BW

EXPERIMENTAL

1x/week for 8 weeks + home exercise program

Behavioral: Backward Walking Training

TRAIN-FW

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

1x/week for 8 weeks + home exercise program

Behavioral: Forward Walking Training

Interventions

Forward Walking Training BEHAVIORAL

Training will consist of FW training on both treadmill and overground. All participants will receive 1x/week training with a trained member of the research team, who will progress the participant week-to-week and ensure safety. Treadmill speed will be determined by baseline FW walking speed and incrementally increased with each training week to subject tolerance. Participants will follow a home exercise program for the remainder of the week that includes FW, forward stepping, and functional exercises that incorporate FW movements.

TRAIN-FW

Backward Walking Training BEHAVIORAL

Training will consist of BW training on both a treadmill and overground. All participants will receive 1x/week training with a trained member of the research team, who will progress the participant week-to-week and ensure safety. Treadmill speed will be determined by baseline BW walking speed and incrementally increased with each training week to subject tolerance. Participants will follow a home exercise program for the remainder of the week that includes BW, backward stepping, and functional exercises that incorporate BW movements.

TRAIN-BW

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of MS
• PDDS \<6, indicating ability to ambulate with or without an assistive device \>/= 50% of the time
• Self-reported walking dysfunction as evidenced by a score of \>/= 30 on MSWS-12 OR reports of 2 or more falls in the prior 6 months, indicating a frequent faller.

You may not qualify if:

• MS relapse within the past 30 days
• comorbid neurological disorder
• acute orthopedic disorder/injury
• unable to follow study-related commands

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Wayne State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis; Gait Disorders, Neurologic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Nora Fritz, PhD

  Wayne State University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 11, 2019
• First Posted: September 16, 2019
• Study Start: January 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2026
• Study Completion: February 28, 2026
• Last Updated: December 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)