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 (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.18415
• Publication Date: 2020-05-05T19:42:30Z
• Authors: Byron Lai; Chia-Ying Chiu; Emily Pounds; Tracy Tracy; Tapan Mehta; Hui-Ju Young; Emily Riser; James Rimmer
• Keywords: Telerehabilitation

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Access to comprehensive exercise and rehabilitation services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a major challenge, especially in rural, low-income areas. Hence, the Tele-Exercise Multiple Sclerosis (TEAMS) study aims provide patient-centered, coordinated care by implementing 12-week complementary alternative medicine (CAM) intervention adults MS. However, due societal impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mid-March 2020, University Alabama at Birmingham announced limited business model halting all nonessential research requiring on-site visits, which includes TEAMS study. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> In compliance shelter-in-place policy quarantine guidance, modified testing training protocol was developed allow participants continue <title>METHODS</title> The protocol, replaces data collection procedures, teleassessment package (computer tablet, blood pressure cuff, hand dynamometer, mini disc cone, measuring tape, an 8” step, large-print × 11” paper ruler metrics wall-safe tape) virtual meeting platform synchronous interactive between therapist participant. measures include resting heart rate, grip strength, Five Times Sit Stand, Timed Up &amp;amp; Go, Berg Balance Scale. teletraining component 20 sessions dual tasking, yoga, Pilates exercises designed customized range functional levels. Teletraining lasts 12 weeks are instructed exercising posttraining period 9 months. <title>RESULTS</title> modifications were supported supplemental funding (from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) approved Institutional Review Board Human Use. At time visits halted university, there 759 enrolled baseline tested, accounting 92.5% our completion target (N=820). Specifically, 325 completed follow-up 289 needed complete either or assessments. A analysis plan will sensitivity analyses ensure robustness results presence uncertainty deviations. Study projected be published 2021. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> This remote teleassessment/teletraining large number MS who would otherwise have been discontinued from <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03117881; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03117881 <title>INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT</title> DERR1-10.2196/18415