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Clinical Trial: Gait training to improve walking

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Details
Type of MS: PPMS|PRMS|RRMS|SPMS
Treatment mode of action: To improve walking
Number of Subjects: 30
Medication: high intensity interval gait training vs. moderate intensity continuous gait trainin
Location: New Jersey|New York|Pennsylvania
Institutions: Hunter College, City University of New york
425 east 25th street
New York, NY 10010
  Contact Information
Dr. Herbert Karpatkin
212-396-7115
hkarpatk@hunter.cuny.edu

Funding:

n/a

Description

Over 90% of persons with MS complain of difficulty with walking. High intensity interval gait training, where persons alternate brief periods of walking at high speeds with periods of rest has been found to improve walking in other neurologic diagnoses. However, its impact on persons with MS is not known. Most gait training in MS is done continuously at a slower pace. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of high intensity to traditional moderate intensity continuous gait training in people with MS.
 
Participants: 18 years and older who are able to walk for 6 minutes continuously with or without an assistive device, and do not have any walking difficulties not due to MS.
 
Following obtaining informed consent, information regarding walking ability, balance, strength, and flexibility will be collected and participants will be randomly assigned into either the high intensity interval gait training group or the moderate intensity continuous key training group.
 
The high intensity group will come to Hunter 2 to 3 times a week for 4-5 weeks. Subjects will walk at their fastest comfortable pace for 30 seconds followed by a 60 second rest. This will be done for a maximum of 25 minutes. Subjects will be carefully guarded by a physical therapist at all times. The distance the subject walks as well as the subjects heart rate will be measured.
 
The moderate intensity continuous group will also come to Hunter 2-3 x/week for 4-5 weeks and will walk at a comfortable pace for 20 minutes continuously. Subjects will be carefully guarded by a physical therapist at all times. The distance the subject walks as well as the subjects heart rate will be measured.
 
At the end of either training period each subjects walking ability, balance, strength and flexibility will again be measured.

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