Improving walking and balance for people with multiple sclerosis
Official title: High-Intensity, dynamic-stability gait training in people with multiple sclerosis
Funded at Marquette University · NIH-11126653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project helps people with multiple sclerosis improve their walking and balance through special exercises.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marquette University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $561,735 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD107145-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with mild or moderate multiple sclerosis who experience difficulties with walking and maintaining balance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe multiple sclerosis or those unable to participate in high-intensity treadmill training may not receive direct benefit from this specific intervention.
What this research studies
This clinical trial aims to improve walking and balance for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). We are combining high-intensity exercise with challenging balance activities on a treadmill. Participants will learn new ways to keep their balance and improve their overall fitness. The goal is to help people with MS walk faster and further, both in a controlled setting and in their daily lives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve walking ability, balance, and the ability to move around in daily life for people with multiple sclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on previous successful high-intensity training in other neurological conditions and promising pilot results for dynamic balance treadmill training in people with MS.
Where this research is happening
-
Marquette University
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmit, Brian D — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Schmit, Brian D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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High-intensity, dynamic-balance treadmill training for people with MS
A multicenter trial tests a strong treadmill walking program combined with balance challenges to help people with MS walk faster and more steadily.
-
Exercise and cognitive training to improve gait in older Veterans with MS
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Improving walking and balance in people with multiple sclerosis
This study is testing a fun new training program that helps people with multiple sclerosis improve their walking and balance by using treadmill exercises with some balance challenges, so they can move better in their daily lives.
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Susceptibility-based MRI biomarkers for multiple sclerosis
A short-term study aims to test MRI biomarkers that could help diagnose and predict MS in patients, using advanced imaging techniques.
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Gait speed from wearable sensors to guide ALS trials
A patient-friendly look at using wearable sensors to measure how fast people with ALS walk, to help run better ALS trials.
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Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.