Clinical Trial of Exercise in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)



Status:Completed
Conditions:Neurology, Orthopedic
Therapuetic Areas:Neurology, Orthopedics / Podiatry
Healthy:No
Age Range:8 - 50
Updated:8/13/2016
Start Date:December 2010
End Date:August 2014

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Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of Exercise in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

This study is being conducted to test whether exercise can be effectively used as an
intervention to treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). In order to answer this question, the
investigators will enroll 14 subjects with SMA between ages 8 and 50 and ask them to
complete an 18 month training schedule. At some points subjects will be asked to closely
follow a specific training regimen and at other points they may be asked to exercise in the
same manner they do normally. The exercises they will be asked to perform include biking on
a stationary cycle and lifting hand weights. Subjects will be asked to come in to the clinic
seven times over the course of the study to perform tests. These tests include motor
function measures, a physical exam, questionnaires, a exercise capacity test which involves
riding a stationary bicycle, and test where the subject is asked to walk as far as they can
in six minutes. The main goal of the study is to see if the subjects who participate in the
exercise protocol have larger increases in the distance they can walk in six minutes than
those who do not.


Inclusion Criteria:

1. Weakness and hypotonia consistent with the clinical diagnosis of SMA type 3, i.e.
having achieved the ability to walk independently

2. Laboratory documentation of homozygous absence of SMN1 exon 7

3. ability to walk at least 25 meters without assistance

4. Aged 8 to 50 years at the time of enrollment

5. Ability to tread the stationary cycle ergometer

6. Written informed consent of patient (if ≥ 18 years of age) or parents/guardian (if <
18 years of age), and assent for participants who are of minor age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to walk independently at least 25 meters

2. Any acute co-morbid condition interfering with study participation in the judgment of
the investigators within 7 days of enrollment including bacterial infection, viral
infectious process, food poisoning, temperature > 99.0ºF, need for acute treatment or
observation due to any other reason, as judged by the investigator; patient can be
included after resolution of the acute event

3. Use of investigational medications intended for the treatment of SMA including
riluzole, valproic acid, hydroxyurea, oral use of albuterol, sodium phenylbutyrate,
butyrate derivatives, creatine, carnitine, growth hormone, anabolic steroids, or
agents with known or presumed histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition, within 30 days
prior to study entry. After signing informed consent, participants may discontinue
prohibited medications and will then qualify for a screening visit after the 30 day
wash-out period

4. Inability to meet study visit requirements, or cooperate reliably with functional
testing and exercise protocol

5. Coexisting medical conditions that contraindicate travel, testing or moderate
intensity exercise

6. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those intending to become pregnant during the
course of the study.
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