Exploration of Brain Changes Due to a Targeted Ballet Program in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisRelapsing-RemittingMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting roughly 900,000 people in the United States that frequently results in impaired mobility. The majority of people with MS express that impaired mobility the most difficult aspect of living with the disease. Ataxia is one aspect of impaired mobility experienced by approximately 80% of persons with MS. Despite $9 billion in drug costs to patients with MS in the U.S., in 2012 alone, standard pharmacological treatment for MS is ineffective in restoring mobility and decreasing ataxia. The PI designed a targeted ballet program requiring motor learning of complex movements that mitigated ataxia and improved balance in patients with MS in a pilot study. The improvements obtained were approximately five times larger than those reported by other physical rehabilitation interventions. However, understanding these changes requires determining whether there are underlying changes in the brain after participation in the targeted ballet program. This project involves persons with mild-to-moderate MS that present ataxia in their movement. We will compare the brain connectivity of participants in the targeted ballet program before and after the 16-week, twice per week, hourly participation intervention. Brain images will be obtained with magnetic resonance imaging while each participant rests with the eyes open. As a secondary outcome, measures of movement quality, ataxia, and balance will be taken to better understand the effects of the targeted ballet program on motor function, wellness, and the brains of persons with mild to moderate MS. Test on movement will include a 10 meter walk with motion tracking, a balance test using a force plate, and clinical tests of ataxia, balance, and walking speed. We will also assess changes in wellness with standard questionnaires.
T-Cell Vaccination in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple SclerosisThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of T-cell vaccination in MS patients.
Decision Making in Multiple Sclerosis Care Under Uncertainty
Multiple SclerosisThe main objectives of this study are: i) To determine patient-level, physician-level and health system factors influencing therapeutic decisions in multiple sclerosis (MS) care by applying conjoint discrete experiments. ii) To determine the prevalence of therapeutic inertia among participating neurologists. iii) To compare clinical judgement vs. a qualitative or quantitative approach when assessing for a given case-scenario. iv) To evaluate the influence of decision fatigue in treatment decisions.
A Social Emotion Regulation Intervention in MS
Multiple SclerosisEmotional DisturbancesThe current project will examine effectiveness of an intervention based on the concept of the social regulation of emotion. The intervention is designed to improve well-being in individuals with MS by leveraging participants' existing social support. Effectiveness will be tested on a sample of 42 individuals with MS, half of whom will receive the intervention and half of which will receive an inactive control. Investigators will document changes resulting from treatment on self-reported levels of stress, depression, and quality of life. Intervention evaluation will expand scientific knowledge of emotion regulation disruption in MS, and potentially identify a novel and highly efficient means of treatment.
RIPC on Activity, Fatigue and Gait in MS
Multiple SclerosisThis study evaluates whether Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning (RIPC) can improve activity, gait and fatigue in people with Multiple Sclerosis. Half the participants will receive RIPC, the other half will receive a sham treatment.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisA significant variation in the serum concentration of the circulating cytokine TWEAK is associated with the onset of an inflammatory attack of MS. Study the concentration variations of the serum soluble form of cytokine TWEAK during the first year of MS and to analyze their correlation with the occurrence of an inflammatory disease outbreak.
Impact of Custom Assistive and Adaptive Technology in Rehabilitation
Disability PhysicalBrain Injuries4 moreMadonna's Rehabilitation Engineering Center of Excellence (REC) is continually developing custom devices for persons with disabilities. These devices are created to improve the independence of individuals living with disabilities at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals and in the community. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact custom assistive and adaptive devices have on patient independence, quality of life, and experience at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals.
Influence of Emotional Disorders and Executive on the Components Retrograde and Anterograde Episodic...
Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system responsible for physical disability but can also cause cognitive disturbances annoying social and professional life of patients with the disease. Various studies have shown that there was a breach of episodic memory, working memory, attention and executive functions regardless of the form of disease, disability or duration of disease progression. The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of emotional components and executive processes on the components retrograde and anterograde episodic memory (thanks to an original paradigm based on the emotional valence of the memory) in MS patients
The Effects of FES in a Variety of Walking Conditions in People With MS
Multiple SclerosisThe aim of this study is to measure the difference in the walking performance when functional electrical stimulation (FES) is on and off in people with MS that present foot drop under different 'real life' conditions, i.e. walking while doing another task that requires your attention and after been physically tired
Longitudinal Effect of Vitamin D3 Replacement on Cognitive Performance and MRI Markers in Multiple...
Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis5 moreThis is a longitudinal single blind randomized trial to test the effects of high compared to low dose vitamin D3 supplementation on cognitive performance at 6 and 12 months, and MRI measures of 12 months duration. A cognitive assessment battery will be administered at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Related clinical data and information on depression and anxiety, lifestyle, and food sources of vitamin D and sun exposure among other variables will also be collected.