Protective Stepping in People With MS

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Multiple Sclerosis

In brief

Falls are common in Veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS), and current rehabilitation approaches to reduce falls are inadequate. Protective step training (in which a person is exposed to repeated "slips") is a promising tool to reduce falls in older adults. However, whether this approach is effective in people with MS is unknown. Investigating the effect of promising therapies, such as protective step training, will enhance our ability to treat Veterans with MS who are at risk for falls. Therefore, we will assess whether people with MS improve postural control and reduce falls through protective step training. we will also determine whether cognitive ability or brain structure can predict who will improve most. These data will inform clinical treatment strategies in people with MS at risk for falls.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03551665

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

57

Starts

2019-02-22

Expected to finish

2024-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-06-24

Who can join

Age: 20 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Neurologist diagnosed MS (for MS participants only)
• Ability to Stand for 5 minutes without aid
• Ability to comprehend English
• At risk for falls (determined via questionnaire; for MS participants only)
• EDMUS score <7 (determined by testers)

You may not qualify if…

• Any non-MS neurological pathology
• Orthopedic impairments affecting balance
• Previous cardiac events (stroke or heart attack)

Where it is running

• Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ — Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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