Volunteers are needed for a research study to determine the effectiveness of motor imagery on balance training in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Participant requirements:
 

• Must have a definitive diagnosis of MS.
• Must be able to stand for two minutes unassisted with or without an assistive device.
• Must have had no exacerbations within the past four weeks.

The time commitment is two sessions of one hour, one to two weeks apart.

For the study, subjects’ balance will be tested. Then they will be randomized into either a motor imagery or a physical practice group. The motor imagery group will receive an audio recording describing the balance exercises they are to perform and what performing them would feel like. They will listen to this tape for 10 minutes a day for one week. 

The physical practice group would be instructed in a home exercise program based on balance difficulties that were detected during the balance pretest. Balance training will be done for 10 minutes a day for one week. Following completion of training, participants will return to the Hunter College Physical Therapy Department to be retested

Risks are minimal as these procedures are standard physical therapy practice and will be supervised by Dr. Karpatkin. There are no associated costs, although there may be costs associated with transportation to and from Hunter.

All data will be de-identified and securely stored.

The study to be conducted at the Hunter College Physical Therapy Department, 425 East 25th Street, New York, N.Y.

To learn more, contact Dr. Herb Karpatkin by phone at 212-396-7115 or email hkarpatk@hunter.cuny.edu.