Overview: This research study explores the potential of exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment for youth with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The investigators are conducting a 20-week home-based exercise program to determine if it is feasible to implement this type of intervention in a larger trial in the future. Our ultimate goal is to understand how exercise might help improve both physical and mental health outcomes for youth with MS.
Why This Study is Important: Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, often leading to issues with movement, balance, vision, and other body functions. In young people, MS can have a significant impact on daily life, including mental health and cognitive abilities (such as memory and problem-solving). Medications can help manage symptoms, but there is growing interest in non-medication approaches, like exercise, to enhance the overall well-being of youth with MS. This study aims to investigate whether a structured exercise program can benefit physical fitness, mental health, and brain function in young people living with MS.
Study Design: This feasibility trial will enroll approximately 40 participants from four different locations in Canada and the United States. These participants will be youth diagnosed with MS.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
1. Exercise Training Group: Participants will follow a 20-week home-based exercise program, which includes structured exercises designed to improve physical fitness.
2. Mobility and Flexibility Training: Participants in this group will follow a 20-week program focused on mobility and flexibility exercises.
The study will collect data through various assessments, including:
* Clinical Exams: To monitor physical health and MS-related symptoms.
* Brain MRI: To measure changes in brain structure.
* Eye Tracking (SickKids participants only): To assess brain activity and cognitive functions.
* Cognitive Testing: To evaluate memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities.
* Blood Draws: To measure blood biomarkers related to brain health, such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and irisin, which are proteins thought to be linked to exercise benefits.
* Questionnaires: To gather information on mental health, including levels of depression and overall well-being.
* Accelerometry: To measure physical activity levels throughout the study.
What the Investigators Hope to Learn: The main goal of this study is to see whether it is practical to run a large-scale trial using a home-based exercise program for youth with MS. The investigators will look at whether it is possible to successfully recruit, retain, and engage participants in the program and how well they adhere to the exercise plan.
In addition to feasibility, the study has several exploratory objectives:
1. Mental Health: The investigators want to see if participants in the exercise group show improvements in depressive symptoms compared to the control group.
2. Cognition: The investigators will evaluate whether exercise has a positive effect on thinking skills, such as memory and attention.
3. Brain Health: Through brain MRI scans, the investigators will examine whether exercise protects or enhances brain volume in areas linked to MS.
4. Fitness Levels: The investigators will measure if participants improve their physical fitness as a result of the exercise program.
5. Biomarkers: The investigators will study how exercise impacts blood levels of BDNF and irisin, which may provide insight into the biological mechanisms behind the benefits of exercise.
Why It Matters: This study is a critical first step in determining if exercise can be a viable and effective way to improve the lives of youth with MS. If successful, the findings will pave the way for a larger trial that could lead to new, non-medication-based treatments to improve mental health, cognitive function, and overall well-being in young people with MS.
By addressing the gaps in understanding how exercise benefits youth with MS, this research could offer valuable insights into developing better care strategies for this population. The results will inform not only how future exercise programs are designed but also provide a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms linking physical activity to brain health and mood in youth with MS.
Study Locations: The study will take place across four sites:
* SickKids (Toronto, Canada)
* Stollery Children's Hospital (Edmonton, Canada)
* Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, USA)
* University of California, San Diego (San Diego, USA)
How This Study Will Help in the Future: The information the investigators gather from this feasibility trial will help shape a larger, more definitive study to further explore whether exercise can be widely implemented as a safe and effective treatment option for youth with MS. It could lead to new therapeutic strategies that do not rely solely on medication but focus on holistic approaches to health and wellness.
