Qigong for Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study

NCT04585659 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 102015
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This feasibility study explores a community-based qigong intervention for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary aim is to assess the feasibility of weekly community qigong classes for people with MS. The secondary aim is to explore the effects of qigong on balance, gait, mood, fatigue, and quality of life.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Qigong; Pragmatic Design; Gait; Multiple Sclerosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Feasibility Outcome 1: Number of participants recruited for the study

  Ability to recruit and enroll 20 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) within 8 months.

  8 months

• Feasibility Outcome 2: Number of participants retained in the study

  Goal to retain 80 percent of participants in the trial.

  10 weeks

• Feasibility Outcome 3: Percent able to participate in qigong classes

  Participation based on participants' subjective report at week 1, 2, 7 phone check-ins and exit survey. Participants select from the following options: full participation, partial, a little, or none.

  10 weeks

• Feasibility Outcome 4: Percent attendance in qigong classes

  Class attendance measured by self-report in exit survey and tracked by qigong instructor, with the goal of 70 percent attendance in class.

  10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Clinical Measure 1: Walking speed assessed by the Timed-25-Foot-Walk Test

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Clinical Measure 2: Mobility, balance and walking ability assessed by the Timed-Up-and-Go Test

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Clinical Measure 3: Multidirectional mobility assessed by the Four-Square-Step-Test

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Clinical Measure 4: Physical and psychological well-being assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29)

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Clinical Measure 5: Impact of multiple sclerosis on walking ability assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12)

  Baseline and 10 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Qigong Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

60-90 minute community qigong classes, once per week plus at least 10 minutes of home practice

Other: Qigong

Wait-List Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants asked not to do any qigong, yoga or taichi for 10 weeks. Participants have the option to cross-over to the experimental arm after 10 weeks of no intervention.

Interventions

Qigong OTHER

Mind-body movement art that includes specific movements, breath exercises, stretching and meditation.

Also known as: Qi-gong

Qigong Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Living in the Portland Metropolitan Area
• Self-reported diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS - any type)
• Demonstrated ability to walk 50 feet without assistance
• Stable on disease-modifying or balance medications three months prior to baseline

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant or nursing
• Participated in qigong, tai chi, or yoga (\>1 month) within six months prior to baseline
• Had an MS relapse within 30 days prior to baseline.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National University of Natural Medicine: lead

Study Sites (1)

National University of Natural Medicine, Helfgott Research Institute

Portland, Oregon, 97201, United States

Location

Related Publications (42)

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• Buttolph L, Wooliscroft L, Bradley R, Zwickey H. Participant Perspectives on Community Qigong for People with Multiple Sclerosis. Integr Med Rep. 2023 Feb 1;2(1):26-34. doi: 10.1089/imr.2022.0079. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

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• Buttolph L, Corn J, Hanes D, Bradley R, Senders A. Community qigong for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pragmatic Feasibility Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2021 Jun;27(6):506-514. doi: 10.1089/acm.2020.0481. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

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Related Links

• Definition of Multiple Sclerosis

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Qigong

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Breathing Exercises; Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Angela Senders, ND, MCR

  Research Investigator and Assistant Professor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2020
• First Posted: October 14, 2020
• Study Start: February 1, 2017
• Primary Completion: March 16, 2018
• Study Completion: March 16, 2018
• Last Updated: October 14, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)