NCT04518657

Brief Summary

We propose a highly-informed, well-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) that is critical for providing Class I evidence regarding an Internet-delivered physical activity (PA) intervention as a behavioral approach for managing slowed cognitive processing speed (CPS; the most common and perhaps most burdensome MS-related cognitive impairment) and its second learning and memory, symptomatic, and quality of life (QOL) correlates among fully-ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who present with CPS impairment. Such an approach will involve a single-blind, RCT that examines the effects of a remotely-delivered, Internet-based PA intervention compared with an active control condition for yielding immediate and sustained improvements in CPS, learning and memory, symptomatic, and QOL outcomes among persons with mild MS-related ambulatory impairment who demonstrate impaired CPS. The primary outcome is the raw (unadjusted), oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score as a neuropsychological measure of CPS, and this will be collected remotely via screen-sharing technology. The secondary outcomes include an objective neuropsychological measure of learning and memory (California Verbal Learning Test-II) collected remotely via screen-sharing technology, self-report measures of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), depressive symptoms and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), pain (Short-Form, McGill Pain Questionnaire) and QOL (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29) that will be captured remotely using Qualtrics. The tertiary outcome is accelerometry as an objective, device-based measure of steps/day that will be delivered and returned via pre-paid, pre-addressed envelopes through the United States Postal Service for generating a minimal clinically important difference value that guides the prescription of free-living PA for managing CPS impairment in clinical practice.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
280

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable multiple-sclerosis

Timeline
6mo left

Started Mar 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable multiple-sclerosis

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress88%
Mar 2023Oct 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 10, 2020

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 19, 2020

Completed
2.5 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 1, 2023

Completed
3.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 31, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 31, 2026

Last Updated

January 6, 2026

Status Verified

January 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

3.7 years

First QC Date

August 10, 2020

Last Update Submit

January 2, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

Physical ActivityCognition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Cognition

    Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT); scoring involves summing the correct number of substitutions within the 90 second interval (max = 110), higher score indicates better outcomes.

    Changes in cognition scores from Baseline, 6-Month, and 12-Month

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Fatigue Severity

    Changes in fatigue from Baseline, 6-Months, and 12-Months

  • Fatigue Impact

    Changes in fatigue from Baseline, 6-Months, and 12-Months

  • Depressive Symptoms

    Changes in depressive symptoms from Baseline, 6-Month, and 12-Month

  • Anxiety

    Changes in anxiety symptoms from Baseline, 6-Month, and 12-Month

  • Quality of Life (QOL)

    Changes in quality of life from Baseline, 6-Month, and 12-Month

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Accelerometry

    Changes in accelerometry data from Baseline, 6-Month, and 12-Month

Study Arms (2)

Behavioral Intervention for Physical Activity in MS (BIPAMS)

EXPERIMENTAL

The current behavioral intervention consists of two primary components; an internet website and oneonone video chats with a behavioral coach.The internet website involves content delivered through interactive video courses.The interactive video courses are based on elements of social cognitive theory.Each course consists of an introduction,the primary content,and a take home message.The interactive courses include embedded,supplementary options such as videos on content and worksheets related to the topic.A pedometer is provided for tracking steps,and these steps will be entered into the website so progress can be monitored.The chats support adherence to the intervention,discussion of website material,supportive accountability,and reporting of adverse events/injuries.The chats are conducted facetoface through an online videoconferencing platform.The chats occur 7 times during the first 2 months,4 times during the second 2 months,and twice during the final 2 months of the intervention.

Behavioral: Behavioral Intervention for Physical Activity in MS (BIPAMS)

Wellness for MS (WellMS)

SHAM COMPARATOR

Provides an internet website and oneonone video chats that discuss materials about self-managing multiple sclerosis (MS) consequences and health indicators through methods other than physical activity.The materials are transformations of brochures provided by the National MS Society,including Gait or Walking Problems:The Basic Facts;MS and Your Emotions;Pain:The Basic Facts; Solving Cognitive Problems;Taming Stress in MS;Food for Thought:MS and Nutrition;and Vitamins,Minerals,and Herbs:An Introduction.The delivery of the internet materials and chat sessions will occur on the same time schedule and frequency as the intervention condition,and will have a comparable time commitment. The control condition will not involve tracking steps and a pedometer with not be provided.

Behavioral: Wellness for MS (WellMS)

Interventions

A behavioral intervention that involves an internet website and one-on-one video coaching calls for increasing wellness in people with MS.

Wellness for MS (WellMS)

A behavioral intervention that involves an internet website and one-on-one video coaching calls for increasing physical activity in people with MS.

Behavioral Intervention for Physical Activity in MS (BIPAMS)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Residing in the United States (residing in Alabama is not required)
  • English as primary language
  • Between 18+ years old
  • Diagnosis of MS
  • Relapse free in the past 30 days
  • Internet and email access
  • Currently physically inactive (GLTEQ)
  • Able to ambulate without assistance (self-report and PDDS)
  • Willingness to complete the questionnaires
  • Willingness to wear the accelerometer
  • Willingness to undergo random assignment (BIPAMS or WellMS)

You may not qualify if:

  • Individuals with moderate to high risk for contraindications of possible injury or death when undertaking strenuous or maximal exercise (PARQ)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Motl RW, Sandroff BM, Benedict RHB, Aldunate R, Cutter G, Barron E. Internet-delivered lifestyle physical activity intervention for cognitive processing speed in multiple sclerosis. Contemp Clin Trials. 2024 Mar;138:107446. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107446. Epub 2024 Jan 17.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple SclerosisMotor Activity

Interventions

Behavior TherapyExerciseHealth

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNSAutoimmune Diseases of the Nervous SystemNervous System DiseasesDemyelinating DiseasesAutoimmune DiseasesImmune System DiseasesBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesMotor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaPopulation Characteristics

Study Officials

  • Robert W Motl, PhD

    University of Illinois at Chicago

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Robert W Motl, Ph.D

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 10, 2020

First Posted

August 19, 2020

Study Start

March 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 31, 2026

Last Updated

January 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations