N/A
N=57
Protective Stepping in People With MS
Multiple Sclerosis
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03551665 ↗Enrolled (actual)
57
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jun 2025
Primary outcome: Primary: Training-related Change in Margin of Stability — 0.0289; 0.0217 meters — p=0.036
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Protective step training (Behavioral)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 20+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Primary completion
- Jul 2024
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Training-related Change in Margin of Stability |
0.0289; 0.0217 | 0.036 sig |
| PRIMARY Symbol Digit Modality Test |
42.44; 51.88 | .92 |
| SECONDARY Training-related Changes in Reactive Step Length |
0.026; 0.023 | 0.119 |
| SECONDARY Training-related Change in Reactive Step Latency |
-0.0414; 0.0047 | 0.012 sig |
Summary
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- 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)
Exclusion Criteria
- Any non-MS neurological pathology
- Orthopedic impairments affecting balance
- Previous cardiac events (stroke or heart attack)
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03551665). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.