Effects of passive exercise on mitochondrial diseases
Official title: The Utility of pGz in Primary Mitochondrial Disorders
Run by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · NCT05569122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how different types of exercise, including passive exercise, affect people with mitochondrial diseases compared to healthy individuals.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 10 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 22, 2023 |
| Main results expected | September 2027 |
| Study ends | September 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 10, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05569122 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include males and females aged 10 to 60 with genetically confirmed primary mitochondrial disease or healthy individuals who meet the study criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are non-ambulatory or unable to complete routine clinical exercise testing may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effects of conventional and passive exercise on patients with mitochondrial diseases and healthy volunteers. Participants will undergo three study visits, each involving different interventions such as Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and passive exercise through periodic acceleration (pGz). The study aims to compare the responses of primary mitochondrial disease patients with healthy controls and explore the effects in patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Blood draws, vascular ultrasounds, and MRI scans will be conducted to assess the physiological impacts of the interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide new insights into effective exercise interventions for patients with mitochondrial diseases, potentially improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in exercise interventions for mitochondrial diseases, this specific approach using periodic acceleration is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Aim 1 Enrollment Criteria Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls * Males or females, 10 years to 60 years, with a minimum height for participation of 135 cm * Ambulatory and able to complete routine clinical exercise testing * Willing and able to complete all study procedures * For individuals under the age of 18, parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and as appropriate, child assent * For individuals over the age of 18 the ability to provide informed consent Inclusion Criteria for PMD Patients * Males or females, 10 years to 60 years, with a minimum height for participation of 135 cm * Ambulatory and able to complete routine clinical exercise testing * Willing and able to complete all study procedures * Genetically confirmed mitochondrial myopathy (MM) as defined by a diagnosis of primary mitochondrial disease (PMD) with predominant symptoms of myopathy as expressed by exercise intolerance and muscle weakness and fatigue * Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and as appropriate, child assent Exclusion Criteria for All Aim 1 Participants General Exclusion Criteria * Tracheostomy * Non-ambulatory * Unable to complete routine exercise testing * Diagnosed with or have symptoms of vertigo * Within 1 month of a recent hospital admission for acute illness * Severe co-existing cardiac or pulmonary disease * Cognitive impairment that may preclude ability to comply with study procedures * Pregnant or lactating females * Active alcohol and/or substance abuse * At the discretion of the principal investigator (PI), any medical condition that will interfere with or prevent the safe completion of the study * Parents/guardians or subjects who, in the opinion of the Investigator, may be non-compliant with study schedules or procedures * Use of investigational agent(s) within 4 weeks * Individuals who are employed by the U.S. Department of Defense, including U.S military personal * Patients with biliary atresia with asplenia or polysplenia. * Patients with prior liver transplant. * Patients with cystic fibrosis. * Patients with chronic lung disease. * Patients with portal vein thrombosis, cavernous transformation of the portal vein or absent portal vein. * Patients with significant heart disease or severe congenital heart disease. * Patients with a history of allergic reaction to Lumason®, sulfur hexafluoride, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere components, or other ingredients in Lumason (polyethylene glycol, distearoylphosphatidlycholine (DSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol sodium (DPPG-Na, palmitic acid) or other components of the ultrasound contrast agent * Any history of intraocular injury or fragment in or around the orbit that cannot be cleared through radiologic evaluation * Any history of bullet, shrapnel, or stabbing wounds that cannot be cleared through radiologic evaluation * Past or current employment involving (or exposure to) a metal grinder (e.g., at a construction worksite) * Claustrophobia or any known medical conditions which can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, or panic attacks triggered by enclosed spaces * Inability to lie flat in an MRI scanner for up to 45 minutes * Unable to perform sub-maximal ankle dorsiflexion leg exercise during the MRI study Aim 2 Enrollment Criteria Inclusion Criteria for PICU PMD Non-Ambulatory Patients * Males or females ages 10 to 23 years (children and adults) * Non-ambulatory * Genetically confirmed mtDNA-PMD * Cooperative and capable of following research procedures * Have cognitive ability to enable cooperation with study procedures * Admitted to the PICU with an anticipated length of stay for \>24 hours * Willing and able to complete all study procedures * For individuals under the age of 18, parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and as appropriate, child assent * For individuals over the age of 18 the ability to provide informed consent Inclusion Criteria for PICU non-PMD neuromuscular diagnosis * Males or females ages 10 to 23 years (children and adults) * Non-ambulatory * Genetically confirmed non-PMD neuromuscular diagnosis * Cooperative and capable of following research procedures * Have cognitive ability to enable cooperation with study procedures * Admitted to the PICU with an anticipated length of stay for \>24 hours * For individuals under the age of 18, parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and as appropriate, child assent * For individuals over the age of 18 the ability to provide informed consent Inclusion Criteria for all other PICU Participants * Males or females ages 10 to 23 years (children and adults) * Non-ambulatory * No known genetic diagnosis with healthy pre-morbid status, admitted to PICU * Cooperative and capable of following research procedures * Have cognitive ability to enable cooperation with study procedures * Admitted to the PICU with an anticipated length of stay for \>24 hours * Willing and able to complete all study procedures * For individuals under the age of 18, parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and as appropriate, child assent * For individuals over the age of 18 the ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria for All Aim 2 Participants * Have cognitive impairment that may preclude ability to comply with study procedures * Have cardiorespiratory instability * Patients in whom are so sick that they will not be able to cooperate with the study procedures * Have clear contraindications to mobilization * Have fixed lower limb deformities/contractures that would prohibit lower extremity exercise * Pregnant or lactating females * Active alcohol and/or substance abuse * At the discretion of the principal investigator (PI), any medical condition that will interfere with or prevent the safe completion of the study * Use of investigational agent(s) within 4 weeks * Individual who are employed by the U.S. Department of Defense, including U.S military personal * Patients with biliary atresia with asplenia or polysplenia. * Patients with prior liver transplant. * Patients with cystic fibrosis. * Patients with chronic lung disease. * Patients with portal vein thrombosis, cavernous transformation of the portal vein or absent portal vein. * Patients with significant heart disease or severe congenital heart disease. * Patients with a history of allergic reaction to Lumason®, sulfur hexafluoride, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere components, or other ingredients in Lumason (polyethylene glycol, distearoylphosphatidlycholine (DSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol sodium (DPPG-Na, palmitic acid) or other components of the ultrasound contrast agent Exclusion Criteria Specific to study procedure: CrCEST MRI Scan: * Any history of intraocular injury or fragment in or around the orbit that cannot be cleared through radiologic evaluation * Any history of bullet, shrapnel, or stabbing wounds that cannot be cleared through radiologic evaluation * Past or current employment involving (or exposure to) a metal grinder (e.g., at a construction worksite) * Claustrophobia or any known medical conditions which can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, or panic attacks triggered by enclosed spaces * Inability to lie flat in an MRI scanner for up to 45 minutes * Unable to perform sub-maximal ankle dorsiflexion leg exercise during the MRI study
Where it's running
-
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Zuela Zolkipli-Cunningham, MBChB, MRCP — Attending Physician
- Study coordinator: Katelynn Stanley, BS
- Email: stanleyk2@chop.edu
- Phone: 215-426-0225
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.