NCT07521995

Impact of Exercise Training on Serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Brain Volumetry, and Functional Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis

The Effect of an Exercise Intervention on Serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Brain Volumetry and and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Firat University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial will employ a two-arm parallel design (exercise group vs. control group) with a 12-week intervention period. Randomization will be implemented using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) to ensure balanced group allocation. All outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Detailed description

The exercise intervention will consist of supervised progressive resistance training sessions conducted three times weekly (with a minimum 48-hour rest period between sessions) at Firat University Hospital. Control participants will maintain their usual daily activities without participating in any structured exercise programs. A blinded neurologist will perform all clinical assessments to eliminate measurement bias. To control for circadian variations, all evaluations will be scheduled at consistent times of day for each participant. Environmental conditions will be strictly maintained during testing sessions (ambient temperature: 21-22°C; humidity: 55-60%). This study will be designed and reported in accordance with CONSORT guidelines for randomized trials, incorporating all essential elements for transparent randomized controlled reporting, including allocation concealment, blinding procedures, and intention-to-treat principles.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Exercise
• Function

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Exercise	According to current clinical guidelines for multiple sclerosis patients, the progressive resistance training (PRT) protocol will be implemented as follows: a 12-week intervention consisting of three supervised 60-90 minutes sessions per week at 60-80% of one-repetition maximum intensity. All training sessions will be conducted under the direct supervision of a certified physiotherapist to ensure proper technique adherence and safety throughout the intervention period

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-05-01
• Primary completion: 2026-05-15
• Completion: 2026-09-01
• First posted: 2026-04-13
• Last updated: 2026-04-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)