Home Cycling Exercise for Multiple Sclerosis and High Blood Pressure

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure who are not very active. It tests home cycling exercise against home stretching for 12 weeks.

Age

18 Years or older

Sex

All sexes can join.

Disease stage

Confirmed multiple sclerosis with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 4-6.5. High blood pressure: elevated, or Stage 1 or 2 (systolic above 120 mmHg or diastolic above 80 mmHg).

Earlier treatment

Stable medicines are asked for. People must be physically inactive (less than 60 min/wk of physical activity).

Main reasons for not taking part

• Other heart or blood vessel conditions
• Type 1 diabetes
• Body mass index of 40 kg/m2 or more
• Confined to a wheelchair
• No space at home for a cycle ergometer

The registry criteria, word for word

What the trial wants to find out

The goal of this study is to determine if 12 weeks of cycling exercise training at home will improve three parameters: 1) blood pressure, 2) cognition, and 3) walking ability among persons with multiple sclerosis who have high blood pressure, when compared to a group that engages in a 12-week home-based stretching program.

The 2 groups in the trial

• Home-based aerobic trainingTreatment being tested

  A 3-month home-based exercise training intervention comprising cycle ergometry as an aerobic mode of training coupled with behavioral coaching. The regimen will be delivered 3-4 days per week.

• Attention controlNo study treatment, for comparison

  The alternative treatment condition comprises a stretching program with minimal exercise and attention control. This program will be delivered using the same frequency and duration as the intervention. The first session will be conducted under the supervision of visiting study personnel as described above. The stretching exercises will follow the manual provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the investigators will progressively include more exercises and sets over the 3 months, this too has been standardized and manualized for reproducibility. The investigators will provide the same materials and Internet coaching for the attention control group as for the intervention group but focused on stretching and not on increasing aerobic exercise. The investigators will ask that participants not undertake additional exercise during the study duration and this will be documented through an exercise history, the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire.