Increasing Physical Activity for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

University of Washington

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Physical Inactivity; Fatigue; Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Treatments: Other: ExerciseRx intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06270641

STUDY00018628

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to advance the scientific understanding and potential future implementation of physical activity promotion by testing the efficacy of a phone-based app for increasing activity in insufficiently active patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Full description

This study aims to test the efficacy of ExerciseRx, a free software platform designed to increase physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Exercise is crucial for managing MS symptoms and overall health, but approximately 80% of PwMS do not get enough physical activity due to barriers like physical limitations, common MS symptoms, and lack of community exercise facilities. ExerciseRx translates clinically relevant activity data collected by personal smart devices into actionable metrics on a dashboard within the Epic electronic health record, allowing healthcare providers to prescribe and monitor tailored physical activity solutions for their patients. This study will test the effects of ExerciseRx in a sample of inactive PwMS.

Enrollment: 106 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Provider-confirmed diagnosis of MS using revised 2017 McDonald criteria
• > 18+ years of age
• Patient determined disease steps (PDDS) score < 3, indicating the potential for some gait disability although typically ambulates without an assistive device
• Insufficiently active, defined as < 150 minutes of physical activity per week, assessed using the PAVS in the EHR in clinics as part of the routine patient intake process
• Use of an iPhone with software version iOS13+ or an Android phone 4.1+
• Agree to install and use the ExerciseRx app for the entire study period and keep their phone on them during the daytime (e.g., pocket, bags, hands)

Exclusion criteria

• Recent (past 4 weeks) or planned surgery during the study period which may impact engaging in step counts
• MS relapse within the last 30 days
• Plans to travel internationally during the study period, which could interfere with server uploads of mobile phone data
• Those at a higher risk of falling or injury from falls or unable to safely exercise due to other medical conditions (e.g. heart conditions, diabetes or conditions made worse by walking or physical activity)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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106 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention ExerciseRx-MS

Experimental group

Description:

Participants use the ExerciseRx app to meet personalized daily step targets and weekly goals. They will receive MS Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations and complete in-app surveys about barriers to being active and physical activity level. The ExerciseRx app will adjust the personalized step count goals based on percentage met of the previous week goal and providers will send supportive messages based on participant activity. Participants will complete validated self-report assessments. Providers may also provide participants with additional guidance, make referrals, or schedule telemedicine or in-person clinic follow ups if needed to support the participant's physical activity progression.

Treatment:

Other: ExerciseRx intervention

Usual care

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants receive MS Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations, will continue typical physical activity, and complete validated self-report assessments. At the end of 26 weeks, staff will offer the participants the ExerciseRx intervention protocol.