Active clinical trials for "Multiple Sclerosis"

Objective: To investigate the role of virtual reality (VR) paired with robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) compared with RAGT alone in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method: A Randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was carried out in forty patients with relapsing remitting MS. All patients were randomized into two groups. One group practiced Lokomat without VR (group G1), the other one the Lokomat with VR (G2). Both the groups performed 40-1h-training sessions by Lokomat (for 3 times a week). A skilled-blinded neurologist and psychologist administered clinical and neuropsychological scales. All the clinical tests were performed at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T1) of the rehabilitative program.

The purpose of this research study is to investigate whether minimizing interference improves memory in multiple sclerosis.

Limb apraxia is defined as the inability to correctly perform skilled and/or learned limb movements, which cannot be explained by elementary motor and sensory deficits or cognitive problems. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the leading cause of disability in young adults. Apraxia and impaired manual dexterity are common problems in patients with MS leading to impaired activities of daily living. However, a specific training program to improve apraxia as well as manual dexterity in MS is lacking. In this study, the investigators want to evaluate the impact of a targeted occupational therapy program on apraxia and manual dexterity in patients with MS that have dexterity problems. Patients routinely seen in the investigators MS consulting hour, fulfilling all inclusion and exclusion criteria and willing to participate in the study will be evaluated for Apraxia and manual dexterity. In case of Apraxia and/or impaired manual dexterity, patients will be randomized 1:1 using sealed envelopes to receive occupational home therapy (experimental group) or general physical exercises (control group) for 4 weeks. At study entry and study end after 4 weeks, apraxia and manual dexterity will be tested in all patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease which affects the central nervous system (CNS). The etiology of MS is unknown, although the immune system appears to play a role. Many different infectious agents have been proposed as potential causes for MS, including Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, and coronaviruses. Recently Dr. Sriram at Vanderbilt University has found evidence for active Chlamydia pneumonia infection in the CNS of MS patients. These findings have been replicated in part by other laboratories. The purpose of the current study is to test whether antibiotic treatment aimed at eradicating Chlamydia infection will reduce the disease activity in MS. The primary outcome measure will be reduction in new enhancing MS lesions on brain MRI. Forty patients will be entered into the trial. To be eligible, patients must have evidence of chlamydia infection in their spinal fluid and enhancing lesions on their pre-randomization MRI scans. Patients who meet these criteria will be randomized to either placebo or antibiotic therapy, and followed for 6 months on treatment.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a training of the inspiratory muscles against resistance at home during 10 weeks in multiple sclerosis patients with a severe disability.

Vascular comorbidities, such as high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, are common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and can negatively impact disease diagnosis, treatment, and progression. Physical inactivity may be one possible reason for this increased risk and may occur through changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (the ability of the body to transport and use oxygen during sustained physical activity). While exercise training is effective for improving fitness, factors such as accessibility to facilities and financial cost may not make it a viable option for most people with MS. An alternative approach for improving fitness is by increasing daily physical activity levels. The research team has developed and tested an Internet-delivered lifestyle physical activity intervention that has been shown to improve physical activity levels among people with MS. This lifestyle intervention is a promising approach for also increasing fitness and managing vascular comorbidity risk in persons with MS. This randomized clinical trial will examine the efficacy of a 6-month lifestyle physical activity intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness and vascular comorbidity risk in persons with MS.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have an increased risk of developing a major depression. The investigators observed a protective effect of high vitamin D levels on the risk of depression in MS. This might be driven by the effect of vitamin D on the stress-axis. Therefore, the main goal of the present study is to assess whether high dose vitamin D supplementation results in a suppression of the stress-axis, as measured by decreased levels of cortisol.

This was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, active-controlled study. Prior to randomization, participants were to have been treated with glatiramer acetate or interferon β-1a (44 μg). Participants were to be randomized to receive natalizumab, interferon β-1a 44 μg, or glatiramer acetate.

The primary goal of this pilot study is to explore the feasibility of cyclic vibration (CV) of the lower extremity muscles to improve walking in individuals with gait deficits from multiple sclerosis (MS).

Exercise therapy in MS patients has proven benefits on mobility, mood, motor function and quality of life. While the beneficial effects of exercise on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal function are well known, there has recently been increased focus on the positive effects of exercise on brain structure and function. The goal of this study is to determine whether exercise can promote beneficial changes in brain function in MS patients.