Muscle aging and response to exercise in older adults with multiple sclerosis
Skeletal Muscle Aging and Responsiveness in Aged People With MS
This study will test whether a combined cardio and strength exercise program improves muscle health and fitness for people with MS who are 60 or older compared with similar people without MS.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) |
| Trial ID | NCT07500727 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The investigators will first compare baseline muscle and cardiovascular health in adults aged 60 and older with MS to age-matched people without MS. Participants will then complete a combined cardiovascular and resistance training program with visits about three times per week, roughly 1.5 hours per visit, for approximately four months. The study will measure whole-body and muscle-specific changes, including differences between a more affected and a less affected leg in people with MS, and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max). Results will show whether older adults with MS adapt to exercise differently than age-matched peers without MS.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 60 or older with a diagnosis of MS, EDSS 2.0–5.5, cognitively able to consent, not currently in a structured exercise program, and without unmanaged chronic diseases are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with severe disability outside the EDSS range, unmanaged cardiopulmonary or metabolic diseases (including diabetes or liver disease), recent chemotherapy, those taking metformin, or other conditions that limit safe exercise are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could gain stronger, healthier muscles, better cardiovascular fitness, and improved day-to-day mobility.
How similar studies have performed: Exercise trials in younger and middle-aged people with MS have shown benefits for strength and fitness, but few studies have focused on people over 60, so this approach is partly supported but relatively novel in this age group.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\. Male or female aged 60 or above 2. Free of unmanaged chronic diseases other than multiple sclerosis 3. No structured exercise program (2 or more bouts/wk) within previous 6 months 4. Cognitively capable of providing informed consent 5. Must meet EDSS score between 2 to 5.5 during screening Exclusion Criteria: * 1\. Neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorder, other than multiple sclerosis, that would limit the ability to perform the exercise and/or testing bouts. 2\. Cardiopulmonary disorders or reduced breathing capacity 3\. Metabolic diseases including markers of liver disease (ALT \> 52 U/dl) and type 2 diabetes (HbA1C ≥ 6.5, fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl) 4\. Taking any dose of metformin 5\. Any other disease or disorder that would influence exercise response (e.g., chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer's, current cancer diagnosis or within 2 yr remission, cerebrovascular) 6\. History of Chemotherapy within 5 years 7\. Unchangeable anticoagulant (Coumadin, Pradaxa, etc.) use. To be determined by clinical staff. 8\. Insulin sensitizing/blood glucose lowering (e.g., metformin) or metabolic (GLP1 agonists) drugs. 9\. High dose statin (40 mg and above) 10\. Have a non-correctable visual impairment 11\. Score less than 29 on the Symbol Digit Test 12\. Received Botox for spasticity within the prior 3 months of study participation. 13\. Cannot have any adjustments to Baclofen during study participation. 13\. Unable to commit to \~4 months required to complete the study. 14\. Lidocaine allergy 15\. Tobacco use 16\. Excessive alcohol consumption (3 drinks/d or 7 drinks/wk for females; 4 drinks/day or drinks/wk for males) 17\. BMI greater than 35.0 kg/m2
Where this trial is running
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Benjamin F Miller, Ph.D. — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Lena Fuentes
- Email: lena-fuentes@omrf.org
- Phone: 4052717745
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.