Exercise program to help people with MS who use wheelchairs
Tests an exercise rehabilitation program in adults with multiple sclerosis who use wheelchairs.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Exercise Rehabilitation Program in MS Who Use Wheelchairs as a Primary Mobility Device
Key facts
- Where
- Chicago, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Trial code
- NCT06410261
- Record updated
- 13 July 2026
- Original description
Approximately 50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) use a wheelchair within 30 years of the initial diagnosis. Wheelchair use in MS is often associated with fatigue as a consequence of muscle weakness. Indeed, fatigue, a prevalent consequence of MS, often becomes debilitating and exhausts energetic resources when carrying-out tasks of daily life and/or interacting with the community, as these require ambulatory mobility. This experience of excessive fatigue has its roots in muscle weakness and results in reliance on a wheelchair for mobility, and the dependency on a wheelchair may further reduce muscular strength, particularly of the lower extremities. We propose that wheelchair users with MS can increase muscular strength through a personalized exercise rehabilitation, and this in turn will improve ambulatory performance and possibly reduce fatigue. To date, no research has examined the effects of this specific exercise rehabilitation program (GH method) on physical function and other disease-related outcomes in persons with MS who use wheelchairs as a primary mobility device.Read full original descriptionShow less
Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect of a 6-Month Exercise Rehabilitation Program on Physical and Cognitive Function in Persons With MS Who Use Wheelchairs as a Primary Mobility Device
Approximately 50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) use a wheelchair within 30 years of the initial diagnosis. Wheelchair use in MS is often associated with fatigue as a consequence of muscle weakness. Indeed, fatigue, a prevalent consequence of MS, often becomes debilitating and exhausts energetic resources when carrying-out tasks of daily life and/or interacting with the community, as these require ambulatory mobility. This experience of excessive fatigue has its roots in muscle weakness and results in reliance on a wheelchair for mobility, and the dependency on a wheelchair may further reduce muscular strength, particularly of the lower extremities. We propose that wheelchair users with MS can increase muscular strength through a personalized exercise rehabilitation, and this in turn will improve ambulatory performance and possibly reduce fatigue. To date, no research has examined the effects of this specific exercise rehabilitation program (GH method) on physical function and other disease-related outcomes in persons with MS who use wheelchairs as a primary mobility device.
Inclusion: diagnosis of MS; age above 18 years; no relapse within last 30 days; use of wheelchair for mobility in the community; ability to walk at least 50 feet (or 65 steps) using an assistive device; low risk for contraindications of physical activity indicated by no more than a single "yes"; response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q); willingness to complete the assessments and undergo randomization.
Exclusion: less than 18 years of age; no diagnosis of MS; not relapse-free within the last 30 days; no use of wheelchair as primary mobility device; no ability to walk for at least 50 feet (or 65 steps); high risk for contraindications based on more than a single "yes" response on the PAR-Q; not willing to complete the testing procedures and undergo randomization.