Active clinical trials for "Sclerosis"

The primary study, as outlined in the original trial registration, aiming to use ultrasound speckle tracking (STU) to monitor muscle contractility in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients receiving vs. not receiving fampridine, as well as to relate these results to performance-based measures and biomarkers to explore disease progression and muscle activity, has been cancelled. Instead four exploratory studies that originate from the initial trial registration but with revised aims, outcome measures and time points, have been prepared - see the DEVIATIONS TO TRIAL PROTOCOL included in the Statistical Analysis Plan filed under "Document section". Summary of original trial registration: Despite effective treatments, the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis experience walking impairments to a degree where walking aids or a wheelchair is required. Since 2009, medical treatment of walking impairments has been possible with fampridine, which has proven effective in approximately 40% of the patients. At present, the treatment is offered on the basis of a measurable improved walking function evaluated by simple performance-based walking tests. The treatment is offered on the basis of a measurable improved walking distance. This is shown today using simple performance-based walking tests that are difficult to complete for those MS patients who are without gait function but could still benefit from fampridine treatment. Ultrasound speckle tracking is a non-invasive ultrasound technique, with the potential to measure muscle function, including muscle contractility (through strain). Ultrasound speckle tracking is designed for dynamic cardiac muscular examination, but can in a modified version be used for assessment of the skeletal muscles. The purpose of this project is to use ultrasound speckle tracking to monitor muscle contractility in MS patients receiving vs. not receiving fampridine treatment. Furthermore, to relate these results to biomarkers in blood and urine to examine disease progression and muscle activity.

The current study aims to investigate whether persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) compensate training time with more sedentary time and consequently blunt training effects. The second aim will be to investigate the effect of a structured training program on specific brain volumes and cognitive variables.

To date, no drug therapy has been approved for primary (PPMS) & secondary (SPMS) progressive multiple sclerosis. The urgent need to find new therapies - if possible with minimal side effects - led us to the search for the potential therapeutic effects of early harvest olive oil. The positive effect of phenol-rich, flavonoid and lignin-based olive oil on the modification of intestinal microbe populations and their by-products of metabolism is well known, such as the extent of gut-associated lymphoid tissue immune-stimulation due to antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. The aim of this Greek, Randomized Clinical Trial, is to evaluate the effect of Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil on cognition and mental health of patients diagnosed with PPMS or SPMS. The patients will be evaluated once at the beginning of treatment, after 6 months of treatment and after twelve months of treatment, in order to specify the eficacy of extra virgin olive oil in holistic treatments for SPMS and PPMS

Sleep disturbance, especially insomnia (i.e., difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep), affects over half of people with MS. Cognitive behavioral strategies have been shown to improve sleep quantity and quality in several neurologic populations (e.g., traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease), and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the first-line insomnia treatment for adults in the general population. Although cognitive behavioral interventions have historically been delivered in-person, a growing body of literature supports telephone- and internet-delivered approaches. However, more work is needed to understand the effects of internet-delivered CBT-I on patient-reported and objective outcomes. This study is a pilot randomized controlled trial to test the preliminary effects of iSLEEPms, a CBT-I-based online intervention with telephone support for individuals with MS. After completing a baseline assessment (Week 1), 90 participants with MS will be randomized (1:1) to four weeks (Weeks 2-5) of iSLEEPms (intervention group) or treatment as usual (TAU; control group), and complete post-treatment (Week 6) and follow-up (Week 12) assessments. iSLEEPms participants will complete daily sleep diary forms and weekly online educational modules. TAU participants will continue usual care without access to the iSLEEPms materials. The primary outcomes will be patient-reported and actigraphic measures of sleep quality and quantity. Secondary outcomes will be treatment satisfaction, adherence, and integrity (iSLEEPms group only). Exploratory outcomes will be fatigue symptoms, depression symptoms, and cognitive function.

The LIPCAL-ALS study (NCT02306590) has provided preliminary evidence that a high-caloric nutrition might prolong survival in fast-progressing ALS patients. Since increasing the amount of calories of the intervention might possibly increase the beneficial effect, the investigators seek to investigate whether an ultra-high caloric diet (UHCD), featuring the double amount of calories compared to LIPCAL-ALS, will be well tolerated by ALS patients and may serve as an intervention for a potential LIPCALII study. For this purpose, the investigators will compare two different UHCDs (one fat-rich and one carbohydrate-rich) with regard to safety and tolerability over a time frame of 4 weeks. A third group will receive the original diet from LIPCAL, and a fourth group will receive no intervention (control group).

ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's" disease, is a neurodegenerative disease which is fatal. Treatment for ALS is limited and currently consists of primary symptom relief or support. In addition, time from diagnosis to death averages 3-5 years. New Biotic, LLC has submitted an Orphan Drug Designation Application for an investigational probiotic and have indicated the need for more study of this orphaned drug in ALS patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the most common cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults (Kamm et al. 2014; Vanbellingen & Kamm, 2016). It is a heterogeneous disease, which is associated with long-term disability, leading to reduced quality of life (QoL). Disease-modifying pharmacological therapies (DMT) decrease activity and progression of the disease, and symptomatic pharmacological treatments reduce complaints to a certain extent, however MS patients often still suffer from various neurological deficits during the course of their disease (Kamm et al. 2014). Consequently, specific non-pharmacological therapies are needed in order to further reduce disability, eventually resulting in better QoL (Lamers et al. 2016; Vanbellingen & Kamm, 2016). Impaired dexterity is a frequently observed impairment, affecting up to 76% of patients with MS (Johannson et al. 2007). The different neurological deficits caused by MS, such as ataxia, spasticity, sensory-motor deficits, and apraxia may be alone or in combination, impair manual dexterity (Kamm et al. 2012; Heldner, Vanbellingen et al. 2014). MS patients experience impairments in the performance of several activities of daily living (ADL), such as grooming, cooking, etc. Sometimes these problems are even associated with loss of work, and lack of social integration (Chruzander et al. 2013). The effectiveness of the app based exercises still needs to be proven. With respect to dexterity, a first new app has been developed called "Finger Zirkus", by a team of experts including an occupational therapist, graphic designer, and IT expert. The app is already available to be downloaded from google play store or apple store (see for more details: www.fingers-in-motion.de).

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Current treatments, including pharmacological, physical therapy, sleep regulation and psychological interventions are of marginal benefit. Pharmacological treatments have inconsistent evidence. Recent studies show that non-deceptive open-label placebos (OLP) have moderate-to-large effects on symptoms, including fatigue, in adults with a variety of medical conditions. Hence, this is a pilot and feasibility study to obtain data on the feasibility and effects of OLP for multiple sclerosis related fatigue and its impact to provide the basis for a competitive NIH application. This pilot study will be the first study to evaluate whether OLP, that garners full consent and engages patients in their wellness, may offer a safe, effective treatment for multiple sclerosis related fatigue.

This is a Phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iloprost on the frequency of and relief from symptomatic digital ischemic episodes in subjects with systemic sclerosis.

Both people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their family caregivers experience the impact of this neurodegenerative disease on their health and well-being. The person living with MS and their support partner need to work together as a team to find ways to manage the disease. A physical activity (PA) program that uses a 'dyadic approach' is one possible way of managing the impact of MS. Dyadic programs are unique because they target both people with the disease and their caregivers together to increase their PA levels. This pilot study will deliver a 12-week program using group teleconference and one-on-one support phone calls to teach participants simple methods to change PA patterns in daily life. For example, they will learn how to set personal goals to increase PA and reduce sitting time.