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Trial registered on ANZCTR


Registration number
Help: Registration number
ACTRN12624001262594
Ethics application status
Help: Ethics application status
Approved
Date submitted
Help: Date submitted
29/08/2024
Date registered
Help: Date registered
16/10/2024
Date last updated
Help: Date last updated
6/11/2025
Date data sharing statement initially provided
Help: Data sharing statement date
16/10/2024
Type of registration
Help: Type of registration
Prospectively registered

Titles & IDs
Public title
A clinician-led feasibility, acceptability, and pilot efficacy intervention on bone health and muscle strength in people with multiple sclerosis.
Scientific title
Evaluating the effectiveness of High-intensity Resistance Impact Training (HiRIT) on bone health and muscle strength in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomised controlled trial.
Secondary ID [1] 312834 0
None
Universal Trial Number (UTN)
Trial acronym
STRONG-MS
Linked study record

Health condition
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied:
Multiple Sclerosis 334945 0
Osteoporosis 334947 0
Reduced Physical Activity 334948 0
Condition category
Condition code
Neurological 331481 331481 0 0
Multiple sclerosis
Musculoskeletal 331482 331482 0 0
Osteoporosis

Intervention/exposure
Study type
Interventional
Description of intervention(s) / exposure
The STRONG-MS intervention involves a structured ONERO High-intensity Resistance Impact Training (HiRIT) program tailored to people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This is designed as 30-minute supervised sessions (in small groups of 6) twice a week for 12 months, focusing on balance/mobility exercises, deadlifts, squats, overhead presses, and impact movements. A progressive adjustment/assessment period will accommodate each participant's weight bearing abilities and safety needs. The intervention is delivered across several specialised sites, with each group being facilitated by a qualified physiotherapist and/or exercise physiologist to support participant engagement and technique. The ONERO HiRIT program aims to improve bone mineral density, muscle strength and physical function. Weekly exercise logs and a 3-month feasibility check-in are are also conducted by supervisors to monitor participants progress, adherence and attendance. The ONERO HiRIT program's intensity level has been measured using the One Repetition Maximum (1RM) method.
Intervention code [1] 329379 0
Lifestyle
Intervention code [2] 329380 0
Behaviour
Intervention code [3] 329579 0
Treatment: Other
Comparator / control treatment
Participants randomised to the control group will continue with their usual/standard care practices for 12 months. Usual care in this study is defined as participants who maintain existing health practices (e.g., GP appointments, standard physiotherapy, medications) and do not receive the ONERO HiRIT intervention during the 12-month intervention phase. After this period, they will have the opportunity to participate in the ONERO HiRIT intervention at no cost for 12 months.
Control group
Active

Outcomes
Primary outcome [1] 339223 0
Health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).
Timepoint [1] 339223 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Primary outcome [2] 339224 0
Areal Bone Mineral Density (aBMD).
Timepoint [2] 339224 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Primary outcome [3] 339225 0
Feasibility.
Timepoint [3] 339225 0
3-months feasibility, 12-months end of intervention.
Secondary outcome [1] 439156 0
Anthropometry.
Timepoint [1] 439156 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [2] 439157 0
Fasting Blood Samples.
Timepoint [2] 439157 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [3] 439158 0
Disability.
Timepoint [3] 439158 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [4] 439159 0
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).
Timepoint [4] 439159 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [5] 439160 0
Hand Grip Strength (HGS).
Timepoint [5] 439160 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [6] 439161 0
Mobility.
Timepoint [6] 439161 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [7] 439162 0
Finger Dexterity.
Timepoint [7] 439162 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [8] 439163 0
Physical Activity.
Timepoint [8] 439163 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.
Secondary outcome [9] 439165 0
Fatigue.
Timepoint [9] 439165 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention for the intervention group.
Secondary outcome [10] 439166 0
Composite outcome of Depression and Anxiety.
Timepoint [10] 439166 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention for the intervention group.
Secondary outcome [11] 439167 0
Costs.
Timepoint [11] 439167 0
12-months end of intervention.
Secondary outcome [12] 439168 0
Post-intervention Adoption.
Timepoint [12] 439168 0
Two-year follow-up.
Secondary outcome [13] 440680 0
Physical Activity
Timepoint [13] 440680 0
Baseline, 12-months end of intervention, 24-months post-intervention.

Eligibility
Key inclusion criteria
1) 30 years or older
2) A medically confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis of any MS subtype
3) All disability levels, so long as person can (to be used in the screening questionnaire):
a. sit down and stand up from a chair with no handrails
b. weight bear for greater than or equal to 10 minutes independently without specialised equipment
c. bend down and pick up a washing basket of clothes (or broom handle for in person screen)
d. hang a pair of jeans on an overhead washing line (or broom handle for in person screen)
4) Willingness to engage in an on-site exercise intervention twice weekly for 12-months
5) Able to undertake a minimum of three of the four core resistance exercises
6) Proficient in English
7) Adequate cognition to be able to give informed consent and to accurately and consistently follow instructions about lifting techniques
Minimum age
30 Years
Maximum age
No limit
Sex
Both males and females
Can healthy volunteers participate?
No
Key exclusion criteria
1) Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; prodromal, but not confirmed MS)
2) Comorbid neurological condition
3) Demonstrated cognitive or psychological difficulties that would preclude study participation as identified by the research team, their carers and/or their treating clinician
4) Not able to independently weight bear for greater than or equal to 10 minutes
5) Not able to attend one of the 5 intervention sites
6) Has had a bone fracture within the previous 3-month period
7) A t-score of greater than or equal to 3.0

Study design
Purpose of the study
Treatment
Allocation to intervention
Randomised controlled trial
Procedure for enrolling a subject and allocating the treatment (allocation concealment procedures)
Methods used to generate the sequence in which subjects will be randomised (sequence generation)
Block randomisation (with a randomly chosen block size of 6 or 9)
Masking / blinding
Open (masking not used)
Who is / are masked / blinded?



Intervention assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Phase
Not Applicable
Type of endpoint/s
Efficacy
Statistical methods / analysis
Mixed-effects models will be used to account for repeated measures over time, ensuring robust analyses of primary and secondary outcomes. Subgroup analyses will also be conducted based on disability level and MS subtype. Missing data will be handled using multiple imputation techniques. Interim analyses will be conducted to monitor the safety and efficacy of the intervention.

Recruitment
Recruitment status
Recruiting
Date of first participant enrolment
Anticipated
1/02/2025
Actual
13/08/2025
Date of last participant enrolment
Anticipated
10/11/2025
Actual
Date of last data collection
Anticipated
9/11/2027
Actual
Sample size
Target
180
Accrual to date
7
Final
Recruitment in Australia
Recruitment state(s)
QLD,WA,VIC

Funding & Sponsors
Funding source category [1] 317748 0
University
Name [1] 317748 0
Deakin University
Country [1] 317748 0
Australia
Primary sponsor type
University
Name
Deakin University
Address
Country
Australia
Secondary sponsor category [1] 319552 0
None
Name [1] 319552 0
Deakin University
Address [1] 319552 0
Country [1] 319552 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [1] 283224 0
University
Name [1] 283224 0
Edith Cowan University
Address [1] 283224 0
Country [1] 283224 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [2] 283225 0
University
Name [2] 283225 0
Griffith University
Address [2] 283225 0
Country [2] 283225 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [3] 283226 0
Other Collaborative groups
Name [3] 283226 0
Perron Institute
Address [3] 283226 0
Country [3] 283226 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [4] 283227 0
Other Collaborative groups
Name [4] 283227 0
MS Plus
Address [4] 283227 0
Country [4] 283227 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [5] 283228 0
Other Collaborative groups
Name [5] 283228 0
The Bone Clinic
Address [5] 283228 0
Country [5] 283228 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [6] 283229 0
Other Collaborative groups
Name [6] 283229 0
People with MS
Address [6] 283229 0
Country [6] 283229 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [7] 283230 0
Other Collaborative groups
Name [7] 283230 0
Healthy Bones Australia
Address [7] 283230 0
Country [7] 283230 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [8] 283231 0
Other Collaborative groups
Name [8] 283231 0
MS Australia
Address [8] 283231 0
Country [8] 283231 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [9] 283275 0
University
Name [9] 283275 0
Monash University | Monash Health
Address [9] 283275 0
Country [9] 283275 0
Australia
Other collaborator category [10] 283748 0
Individual
Name [10] 283748 0
Dr Ayse Zengin (Co-Principal Investigator)
Address [10] 283748 0
Country [10] 283748 0
Australia

Ethics approval
Ethics application status
Approved
Ethics committee name [1] 316012 0
Monash Health Human Research Ethics Committee A
Ethics committee address [1] 316012 0
Ethics committee country [1] 316012 0
Australia
Date submitted for ethics approval [1] 316012 0
18/09/2024
Approval date [1] 316012 0
09/04/2025
Ethics approval number [1] 316012 0

Summary
Brief summary
Trial website
Trial related presentations / publications
Public notes

Contacts
Principal investigator
Name 136498 0
Dr Lisa Grech
Address 136498 0
Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood VIC 3125
Country 136498 0
Australia
Phone 136498 0
+61 3 924 68920
Fax 136498 0
Email 136498 0
[email protected]
Contact person for public queries
Name 136499 0
Lisa Grech
Address 136499 0
Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood VIC 3125
Country 136499 0
Australia
Phone 136499 0
+61 3 924 68920
Fax 136499 0
Email 136499 0
[email protected]
Contact person for scientific queries
Name 136500 0
Lisa Grech
Address 136500 0
Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood VIC 3125
Country 136500 0
Australia
Phone 136500 0
+61 3 924 68920
Fax 136500 0
Email 136500 0
[email protected]

Data sharing statement
Will the study consider sharing individual participant data?
No


What supporting documents are/will be available?

No Supporting Document Provided


Results publications and other study-related documents

Documents added manually
No documents have been uploaded by study researchers.

Documents added automatically
No additional documents have been identified.