Strengthening Movement at Home
This study will evaluate if adding electrical stimulation (similar to the SlenderTone system for tummy muscles) to leg exercises results in better improvements than leg exercises alone. The study has been granted ethical approval by a University of Limerick ethics committee and we are currently recruiting. We will be recruiting people in the West and Mid-West regions.
Am I eligible?
If you are interested in participating in this study you must:
1. Have a confirmed diagnosis of MS by a consultant neurologist
2. Use any type of walking aid (stick, crutch or frame)
3. Not have a pacemaker or metal implant in your legs
4. Not have a current injury to you knee or thigh
5. Have full and normal feeling in your legs
6. Not be participating in an exercise program currently or in the last month and
7. Not have an increase in your symptoms currently.
What does this study involve?
If you volunteer to take part in this study it will involve:
• A researcher coming to your home to measure your strength, balance, walking ability and the thickness of your thigh muscles with an ultrasound machine. You will also be given three questionnaires to fill out.
• The researcher will then teach you an exercise program involving 6 exercises.
• You will receive a phone-call within one week to tell you if you are to continue with these exercises or if you are to receive the electrical stimulation device.
• If you are to receive the device a physiotherapist will come to your home to teach you how to use it with the exercise program.
• The device is called Kneehab. It is made of stretchy material like a wetsuit that wraps around your thigh, and has the electrical pads already in place so it is easy to put on. You will not feel an electric shock, only a comfortable tingly sensation and you can control how strong it is.
• The exercise program lasts 12 weeks. You will receive a weekly phone-call to check on your progress, deal with any problems you are having and to give you advice on how to progress your exercises.
• The researcher will come to your house on two more occasions (after 6 weeks and at the end of the program) to measure the same things as at the start.
Are there any benefits to participating?
The research has shown that potential benefits of strengthening programs are:
1. Improved muscle strength
2. Improved balance and ability to walk
3. Decreased levels of fatigue
Are there any risks in participating?
The research has shown that some potential risks with strengthening exercise are:
1. Muscle soreness due to exercise or the device, which may last for 2-3 days
2. A possible increase in symptoms (muscle tone and fatigue) that is temporary, lasting less than one day with no long-term consequences
Confidentiality:
In order to ensure that any information recorded is kept confidential, you will be assigned a code that will be used in place of your name on all data sheets and forms. In addition, all data will be stored in a locked cabinet in the University of Limerick.
There is no obligation to participate in this study but if you are interested please contact the research at the details listed below. In addition, as participation is voluntary if you decide at any stage that you wish to withdraw your participation and use of your data from the study, you are entitled to do so and there will be no repercussions. Please contact the researcher to inform them if this occurs.
If you wish to participate or have any further questions regarding this study please contact the researchers.
Researchers:
Dr. Susan Coote email: susan.coote@staffmail.ul.ie or call: 061-234278
Mr. Lonan Hughes email: lonan.hughes@staffmail.ul.ie or call: 061-233768
If you have concerns about this study and wish to contact someone independent, you may contact:
The Chairman of the Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee,
University of Limerick,
Limerick.
Tel: (061) 234101
Further Information:
Please download University of Limerick Information Leaflet (.doc, 21KB)
