Power Training in Older Multiple Sclerosis Patients (POTOMS)

University of Aarhus

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Aging; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Healthy Aging; Demyelinating Diseases

Treatments: Other: Power training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04762342

4168624

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study seeks to investigate whether 24 weeks of power training has neuroprotective effects in older PwMS. Additional purposes are to examine the effects of 24 weeks power training on physical function, cognitive function and neuromuscular function. Further, it is investigated whether the potential effects of power training are maintained after 24 weeks of follow-up.

Full description

Over the past 3-4 decades, the lifespan among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) has increased substantially. Today more than one-third of all people with MS are 60 years or older. With advanced age, people with MS are more likely to have impairments in cognitive and physical function.

Positive adaptations within the nervous system (~neuroplasticity) have been shown to occur in people with MS following periods of resistance training (RT). This resembles the observations in young and old healthy individuals. Moreover, a specific type of RT termed power training appears to be particularly beneficial, as it emphasizes an explosive concentric phase of muscle contraction. This taxes the nervous system to a very high extent. As a result, power training has been shown to improve several aspects that rely on the nervous system in older individuals without MS. These aspects include cognition, neuromuscular function, and physical function.

The investigators speculate that older people with MS would also benefit. However, no studies have looked into the effects of power training in older people with MS.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• ≥ 60 years of age.
• Clinically diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald criteria (48).
• Having an EDSS ≤ 6.5.
• able to transport themselves to the testing at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital.
• able to transport themselves to training, if randomized to the PRP group.

Exclusion criteria

• having comorbidities (cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, or other neurological diseases than MS) affecting PRP participation or MRI scans.
• having a pacemaker.
• having metallic implant(s) that prevents MRI scans.
• having untreated osteoporosis; t-score below -2.5 and a history of low energy facture or t-score below -3.0.
• participating in more than two sessions per week of structured PRE and have done so for the past 3 months.
• Are cognitively impaired at a level expected to prevent the participant from understanding training and testing instructions.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Training Group Multiple Sclerosis

Experimental group

Description:

24 weeks of moderate to high-intensity power training (resistance training- emphasizing an explosive concentric phase of muscle contraction) performed twice weekly. Balance- and functional exercises are included after week 8.

Treatment:

Other: Power training

Control Group Multiple Sclerosis

No Intervention group

Description:

Habitual lifestyle including standard care.