How body awareness and trunk stability relate to arm function in MS
Investigation of the Relationship Between Body Awareness, Trunk Stabilization, and Upper Extremity Functionality in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
This study will test whether body awareness and trunk stability are linked to arm function in adults with multiple sclerosis compared with healthy people.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 10 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara, Altındağ) |
| Trial ID | NCT07151534 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational, cross-sectional study enrolling adults with clinician-diagnosed multiple sclerosis and an age- and sex-matched healthy control group. Demographic and disease-specific information (including EDSS and cognitive screen) will be recorded, and participants will complete measures of body awareness, trunk stabilization, and upper extremity function. The study will compare MS patients to controls and examine correlations among body awareness, trunk control, and arm function within the MS group. Individuals with recent relapses, corticosteroid use, other neurologic disorders, or orthopedic conditions affecting the trunk or arms will be excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with neurologist-diagnosed MS who have EDSS ≤ 5, MMSE ≥ 24, can give written consent, and healthy age- and sex-matched controls are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with EDSS > 5, a recent relapse or corticosteroid use within 3 months, other neurological disorders, orthopedic/systemic conditions affecting the trunk or arms, or who are pregnant are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help therapists focus rehabilitation on body awareness and trunk control to improve arm function in people with MS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has reported links between proprioception, trunk control, and upper-limb function in MS, but comprehensive comparisons of body awareness, trunk stabilization, and arm function with matched controls remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by a neurologist according to the McDonald criteria * Aged 18 years or older * Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 5 * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24 * A control group consisting of healthy individuals matched with MS patients in terms of age and sex Exclusion Criteria: * Having a neurological disorder other than MS * Having experienced a relapse and/or used corticosteroids in the past 3 months * Having an orthopedic/systemic condition affecting the upper extremities or trunk * Being pregnant * Refusing to participate or not providing written informed consent * Healthy individuals who have an orthopedic/systemic condition affecting the upper extremities or trunk, who are pregnant, or who do not agree to participate and provide written informed consent will be excluded.
Where this trial is running
Ankara, Altındağ
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, Altındağ, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Muhammed Kılınç — Hacettepe University
- Study coordinator: Güngör Beyza Özvar Şenöz
- Email: beyzaozvar@gmail.com
- Phone: 5053888617
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.