Trial results for a physical telerehabilitation study in veterans with Multiple Sclerosis were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-05-05. The study, which enrolled 51 participants, indicated that the Home Automated Telemanagement (MSHAT) intervention group performed worse across several key functional outcomes compared to the control group.
Background
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of symptoms including problems with balance, walking, and coordination. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in managing MS symptoms and improving functional independence. Telerehabilitation, which delivers rehabilitation services remotely, has emerged as a potential solution to improve access and adherence to exercise programs, especially for individuals with mobility limitations or those living in remote areas. The trial's hypothesis was that home telemanagement would be effective and useful in the rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis patients.
Trial design
This completed study, titled "Physical Telerehabilitation in Veterans With Multiple Sclerosis," enrolled 51 participants with Multiple Sclerosis. The primary objective was to assess the feasibility and patient acceptance of a Home Automated Telemanagement (HAT) system. The intervention involved home telemanagement using a daily exercise diary, monitoring of compliance with a tailored exercise program, and regular assessment of strength and motor functions. Participants were assigned to either the MSHAT intervention group or a control group.
Key results
The trial measured several functional outcomes:
- The Berg Balance Scale (BBS): A higher score indicates better balance. The MSHAT group had a mean score of 36.1 (Standard Deviation 18.9), while the Control group had a mean score of 50 (Standard Deviation 9.9). An analysis showed a mean difference (final values) of -13.9, with a p-value of 0.05, suggesting worse balance in the MSHAT group.
- Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS): A higher score indicates greater disability. The MSHAT group had a median score of 4.5, compared to the Control group's median score of 3.0. A Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) analysis yielded a p-value of 0.05, indicating greater disability in the MSHAT group.
- The Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW): Measures the time taken to walk 25 feet, with lower times indicating better walking ability. The MSHAT group completed the walk in a mean of 13 seconds (Standard Deviation 10.9), while the Control group took a mean of 6.5 seconds (Standard Deviation 2.6). An analysis showed a mean difference (net) of 6.5, with a p-value of 0.05, suggesting slower walking speed in the MSHAT group.
- Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12): A higher score indicates greater impact of MS on walking. The MSHAT group had a mean score of 65.6 (Standard Deviation 32.8), and the Control group had a mean score of 58.1 (Standard Deviation 22.9). An analysis showed a mean difference (final values) of 7.5, with a p-value of 0.57, indicating no statistically significant difference between groups.
- The Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT): Measures the distance walked in six minutes, with higher distances indicating better endurance. The MSHAT group walked a mean of 879.2 Meters (Standard Deviation 611.5), while the Control group walked a mean of 1330.8 Meters (Standard Deviation 372). A t-test, 2 sided analysis yielded a p-value of 0.05, suggesting shorter walking distance in the MSHAT group.
What this means
The results from this trial indicate that the specific Home Automated Telemanagement (MSHAT) intervention, as implemented, did not lead to improved functional outcomes in veterans with Multiple Sclerosis. In fact, for several key measures of balance, disability, and walking ability (Berg Balance Scale, Patient Determined Disease Steps, Timed 25-Foot Walk, and Six Minute Walk Test), the MSHAT group performed worse than the control group, with statistically significant differences observed. These findings suggest that this particular telerehabilitation approach may not be beneficial for improving these specific functional aspects in MS patients and warrant careful consideration for clinical application.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for study NCT02346734, titled "Physical Telerehabilitation in Veterans With Multiple Sclerosis," were posted on 2026-05-05 on clinicaltrials.gov.