Ischemic Preconditioning, Exercise Tolerance and Multiple Sclerosis

Treatment tested

• Ischemic Preconditioning

Placebo

• Sham Intervention

Other measures (1)

Regular physical activity improves aspects such as physical fitness, fatigue, quality of life, gait and also reduces the rate of progression of disability in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. However, individuals with multiple sclerosis are less physically active than the general population. The determinants of engaging in physical activity for individuals with multiple sclerosis include psychological factors like motivation, self-belief and self-regulatory constructs and physical factors like fatigue, weakness, pain and ataxia. Ischemic preconditioning is exposure of the body to brief periods of circulatory occlusion and re-perfusion to protect organs against ischemic injury. Recent studies have also shown that ischemic preconditioning also improves exercise performance in healthy participants. The primary aim and objective of this study is to see whether it is feasible to use Ischemic preconditioning to improve exercise performance in people with Multiple Sclerosis. The design for the study is a double blind randomized control trial. Forty patients with multiple sclerosis above 18 years of age and who have the ability to walk will be randomized to receive either Ischemic preconditioning or sham intervention. All participants will be identified by MS consultants and nurses from the MS clinic and Neuro Day Case Unit of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. Participation will involve an additional 2 hours of the patients time.