Balance Right in Multiple Sclerosis (BRiMS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Balance Right in Multiple Sclerosis (BRiMS) A guided self-management programme to reduce falls and improve quality of life, balance and mobility in people with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis: a feasibility randomised controlled trial\n
IRAS ID
199153
Contact name
Jenny Freeman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 19 days
Research summary
Impaired mobility is a cardinal feature of secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) and is consistently rated by people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as their highest priority and their most important, yet most challenging daily function. \n\nAn important contributor to these difficulties is impaired balance, which is more compromised in progressive as compared to relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. \n\nThe researchers’ previous work suggests that falls may be an early marker of mobility deterioration associated with disease progression and that rehabilitation interventions which improve balance and physical activity levels, and decrease falls, may slow this deterioration. \n\nSuch interventions are key to management as medical interventions are limited in progressive MS. \n\nWhilst generic falls prevention programmes are available in the NHS, evidence suggests that these are unsuitable for people with MS. The researchers have developed a 13 week manualised and personalised exercise and education programme titled ’BRiMS’ which forms the intervention arm of this study.\n\nThis study aims to test the feasibility of and aid the planning of an anticipated multi-centre RCT to compare BRiMS plus usual care with usual care alone in improving mobility and QoL and reducing falls in people with SPMS. 60 patients with SPMS from 2 regional areas (Ayrshire/ SW Peninsula) that self-report 2 or more falls in the previous 6 months, will be randomised to receive either the BRIMS intervention plus usual care, or usual care alone. Blinded research therapists will undertake assessments to compare the patients balance and mobility at 3 points during the study which will inform the objectives of helping to optimise the delivery of BRiMS programme, the acceptability of and concordance to the 13 week BRiMS programme by patients and the fidelity of the intervention application between sites.\n
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0266
Date of REC Opinion
8 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion