The effect of different types of motor imagery on walking, tiredness,

Other measures (1)

Background and study aims Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and disabling illness of the brain and spinal cord. Patients with MS often have problems with walking and an overwhelming tiredness. Therefore, activities of daily life are challenging and quality of life is poor. In scientific studies, physiotherapy has been found to be useful to improve walking, fatigue and quality of life in patients with MS. This is even more true for physiotherapy settings that are tailored to the individual patient's needs. In recent years, new physiotherapy strategies have been developed. Motor imagery is such a new physiotherapy treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Motor imagery means that somebody thinks about moving her or his body in a certain way without actually moving. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore different types of motor imagery in terms of their effects on walking, fatigue and quality of life. Who can participate? Patients aged 18 and over with mild to moderate MS at the MS Clinics Innsbruck, Austria What does the study involve? Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups. The treatment takes place at participants' homes and lasts 4 weeks. Participants are asked to sit down, close their eyes and imagine that they are walking at various speeds according to a CD. They are asked to do this 6 times a week for 17 minutes. The audio mix on the CDs is changed every week. For group 1 the CD includes motor imagery with music and verbal guiding, For group 2 the CD includes motor imagery with music, For group 3 the CD includes motor imagery alone. All groups also receive weekly phone calls for support and their normal medical treatment. Participants' walking is assessed using two walking tests: a 7.6-metre short walking test to assess walking speed and a 6-minute walk test to measure walking endurance. Adaption of their gait with the music beat is assessed on a short walkway using video recording. Participants are asked to imagine stepping movements while seated. Participants are further be asked to fill in three questionnaires about fatigue, quality of life and motor imagery ability. This procedure lasts about 44-66 minutes plus time for motor imagery familiarisation, information (25 to 30 minutes, depending on questions you may have) and rest. Assessments take place at the start of the study and after 4 weeks. Refreshments are provided during testing and travelling and parking costs can be refunded. If one of the treatments is found to be more effective than the others, you will immediately receive information and the relevant CD. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? You might benefit from better walking and feeling less fatigued, but this cannot be guaranteed. You will not be at risk of falling or exhaustion during the home-based motor imagery, therefore the treatment is considered to be safe. The walking tests will be done in a hallway close to the wall and you will be safeguarded by the researcher. You will be allowed to rest during the assessments if you wish to. It is not expected that there will be any side effects caused by this treatment. Where is the study run from? MS Clinics, Innsbruck Medical University, Department of Neurology, Austria. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? September 2015 to September 2017. Who is funding the project? The Austrian MS Research Society has been contacted for funding the material costs of this study. Otherwise the study will be self-funded by the researcher. Who is the main contact? Dr Barbara Seebacher b.seebacher@aon.at