Tele-Exercise and Multiple Sclerosis
Comparative Effectiveness Trial Between a Clinic- and Home-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Telerehabilitation Intervention for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
What it found
Results are posted in the registry, but without a statistical test of the main measure. See the numbers below.
What was tested
Treatment tested
- DirectCAM
- TeleCAM
- rDirectCAM
Results by group
Change in Pain
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
| Group | Value | Interval | Number analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectCAM | 1.64 score on a scale | -0.6–3.88 | 382 |
| TeleCAM | 1.53 score on a scale | -0.72–3.78 | 377 |
| rDirectCAM | -2.12 score on a scale | -7.4–3.15 | 68 |
DirectCAM
TeleCAM
rDirectCAM
Change in Fatigue
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
| Group | Value | Interval | Number analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectCAM | -2.57 score on a scale | -3.9–-1.24 | 375 |
| TeleCAM | -3.58 score on a scale | -4.92–-2.23 | 368 |
| rDirectCAM | -1.36 score on a scale | -4.49–1.77 | 68 |
DirectCAM
TeleCAM
rDirectCAM
Change in Quality of Life (Physical Component)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
| Group | Value | Interval | Number analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectCAM | 1.34 score on a scale | 0.36–2.86 | 355 |
| TeleCAM | 1.86 score on a scale | 0.91–2.86 | 350 |
| rDirectCAM | 0.70 score on a scale | -1.44–2.83 | 68 |
DirectCAM
TeleCAM
rDirectCAM
Change in Quality of Life (Mental Component)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
| Group | Value | Interval | Number analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectCAM | 0.42 score on a scale | -1.06–1.9 | 355 |
| TeleCAM | 1.10 score on a scale | -0.38–2.57 | 350 |
| rDirectCAM | -1.09 score on a scale | -4.38–2.19 | 68 |
DirectCAM
TeleCAM
rDirectCAM
Change in Physical Activity
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
| Group | Value | Interval | Number analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectCAM | 3.74 score on a scale | -5.02–12.51 | 319 |
| TeleCAM | 6.46 score on a scale | -2.17–15.09 | 330 |
| rDirectCAM | 3.13 score on a scale | -14.2–20.47 | 68 |
DirectCAM
TeleCAM
rDirectCAM
Values as posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Outcomes measured differently across trials are not directly comparable.
Safety
| Group | Participants at risk | Serious adverse events | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirectCAM | 425 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 |
| TeleCAM | 412 | 2 (0.5%) | 0 |
| rDirectCAM | 74 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 |
As posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Serious adverse events include any serious health event during the trial, whether or not the treatment caused it.
What it measured
Main measures
Change in Pain
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
PainQuality of life (reported by participants)Change in Fatigue
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
FatigueChange in Quality of Life (Physical Component)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Quality of life (reported by participants)Change in Quality of Life (Mental Component)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Quality of life (reported by participants)Change in Physical Activity
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Physical function
Other measures (6)
Change in Balance (Berg Balance Scale)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Walking and mobilityChange in Balance (Five Times Site to Stand)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Walking and mobilityChange in Endurance
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM.
Walking and mobilityChange in Gait (Timed Up and Go)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Walking and mobilityChange in Gait (Timed 25-Foot Walk)
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM.
Disability progressionWalking and mobilityChange in Grip Strength
48 weeks for DirectCAM and TeleCAM and 12 weeks for rDirectCAM.
Arm and hand functionPhysical function
Who could take part
MS (type not specified) · 18 to 70
Show the full criteria
Inclusion criteria
* Physician permission to participate in the study * Mild to moderate disability (i.e., ambulate with/without assistive device, Patient-Determined Disease Steps [PDDS] 0 - 7 * Able to use arms/legs for exercise
Exclusion criteria
* Significant visual acuity that prevents seeing a tablet screen to follow home exercise program * Cardiovascular disease event within the last six months, several pulmonary disease, and/or renal failure * Active pressure ulcers * Currently pregnant * Within 30 days of receiving a rehabilitation program * Already meeting physical activity guidelines (GLTEQ > 24)
As registered. Criteria can change, so ask the trial team or your neurologist.
About this trial
In the sponsor's words
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two delivery models of an evidence-based complementary alternative medicine (CAM) program that combines neurorehabilitative (functional) exercise, yoga, and Pilates for adults age 18-70 with multiple sclerosis (MS). CAM will be delivered as a 12-week program through two different delivery forms: On-site at a clinic (DirectCAM) and telerehabilitation (TeleCAM). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these two groups. **On March 16th, 2020, the University of Alabama at Birmingham halted all onsite non-essential research in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the study has begun to conduct all testing remotely through videoconferencing technology. In addition, another study group, remote DirectCAM (rDirectCAM), has been incorporated into the study to continue the 12-week program delivery for newly recruited participants via videoconferencing technology.**
Papers
Results
Rationale and design of the tele-exercise and multiple sclerosis (TEAMS) study: A comparative effectiveness trial between a clinic- and home-based telerehabilitation intervention for adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) living in the deep south.Contemp Clin Trials · 2018
Results
Aly S, Young HJ, Flemming-Tracy T, Baidwan NK, Rimmer JH, Motl R, Mehta T. Construct validity of the timed 25-foot walk and robustness of clinical benchmarks in multiple sclerosis: exploratory analyses of TEAMS study. eNeurologicalSci. 2026 Sep 21;45:100623. doi: 10.1016/j.ensci.2026.100623. eCollection 2026 Dec.Results
Tracy TF, Young HJ, Lai B, Layton B, Stokes D, Fry M, Mehta T, Riser ES, Rimmer J. Supporting successful recruitment in a randomized control trial comparing clinic and home-based exercise among adults with multiple sclerosis. Res Involv Engagem. 2022 Jul 29;8(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s40900-022-00366-6.Results
Lai B, Chiu CY, Pounds E, Tracy T, Mehta T, Young HJ, Riser E, Rimmer J. COVID-19 Modifications for Remote Teleassessment and Teletraining of a Complementary Alternative Medicine Intervention for People With Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2020 Jul 3;9(7):e18415. doi: 10.2196/18415.
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History
Started
Jan 2018
Main results due
Oct 2021
Finished
Oct 2022
Results posted
Dec 2024