Exercise Intensity & Immune Function in Multiple Sclerosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exercise intensity and immune function in moderately disabled people with multiple sclerosis
IRAS ID
157624
Contact name
Ryan Bell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of Scotland
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of exercise intensity within a 15 week programme in those with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although earlier research has shown that exercise is safe and may improve health related factors such as inflammation, mobility and fatigue, the intensity at which exercise offers the most benefit has not yet been defined. Earlier research has shown that higher intensity exercise may cause greater functional improvements than moderate intensity exercise (Collett et al., 2011).
Moderately disabled MS patients will be asked to take part in an 15 week cycling exercise programme at the Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre in Ayrshire Central Hospital. Participants will be randomised to either high intensity exercise, moderate intensity exercise or a usual care group.
Exercising participants will complete 2 sessions of supervised exercise per week for 15 weeks (30 sessions in total). Those assigned to the usual care group will be advised not to change their exercise habits and will continue with their usual medical care. All participants will be tested for several physical and psychological outcomes at regular intervals throughout the programme to allow comparison between the three groups. Blood samples will also allow the immune response to be measured.
Funded by the NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the University of the West of Scotland, this study will contribute to the knowledge available on exercise in MS and may impact future guidelines.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1246
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion