The aim of this phase 2 trial was to ascertain the feasibility and effect of community-based aerobic exercise training for people with 2 of the more common neuromuscular diseases: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT) and inclusion body myositis (IBM).
A randomized single-blinded crossover trial design was used to compare a 12-week aerobic training program using recombinant exercise bicycles compared to a control period. The training occurred 3 times per week in community gyms local to the participants. Support was available from trained gym staff and a research physiotherapist. The 2 disease groups were analyzed separately. The primary outcome measure was peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak) during a maximal exercise test, with secondary measures of muscle strength, function, and patient-reported measures.
Data from 23 people with CMT and 17 people with IBM were included in the analysis. Both disease groups had high levels of participation and demonstrated improvements in VO 2 peak, with a moderate effect size in the CMT participants (Cohen d = 0.53) and a strong effect size in the IBM group (Cohen d = 1.72). No major changes were observed in the secondary outcome measures. Qualitative interviews revealed that participants valued the support of gym instructors and the research physiotherapists in overcoming challenges to participation.
(1) Acta Reumatol?gica Portuguesa, Member of the Editorial Board, since 2015 (2) RMD Open, Member of the Editorial Board, since 2015
(1) NIHR Rare Diseases Translational Research Collaboration Post-Doctoral Fellowship from 2014-17
(1) Myositis UK (2) National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society
(1) Commercial; Directorship of Changing Health - a digital health company. (2) Non-profit; Scientific Advisory Board for Diabetes UK - UK Charity
(1) National Institute for Health Research: National Innovation Observatory. Principal Investigator. ?8million.
(1) Brain, Editorial Board, appointed 2008; (2) Neuromuscular Disorders, Editorial Board, appointed 2005; (3) editorial board JNNP (current)
(1)Commercial entity: One off consultancy for Servier January 2016 on subject not related to this submission. Also consult for Acceleron on unrelated subject Occasional consultancy for Alynam, IONIS, Myotherix, Inflectis
? MDA grant (MDA510281) Muscle MRI in Charcot Marie Tooth disease (PI) 2017-2020 CLRN grant to support NIH RDCRC natural history study (PI) (2011-2012) ? MRC - Using Next Generation Sequencing to investigate neuromuscular disorders. Project grant (CO- PI) (2011-2014) ? Wellcome Trust ? A next generation sequencer for the Institute of Neurology. Equipment Grant? (CO-PI) (2011 ? 2016) ? UCL CBRC ? A next generation sequencer for the Institute of Neurology. Capital bid (CO-PI) (2011-2016) ? Ipsen training grant for Dr. Alex Rossor (2010-2011). ? NIHR Doctoral Research Training Fellowship for Dr. Taibish Saifee ?The clinical spectrum and pathophysiology of tremor in peripheral neuropathy? (Supervisor) (2010-2013) ? Muscular Dystrophy Association (US) grant ?Genetic Modifiers of the CMT1A phenotype? (Mentor on development grant for Henry Houlden) (2009-2012) ? Muscular dystrophy campaign grant ?Strengthening Hip Flexors to improve walking distance in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease? (PI) (2008-2010) ? UCLH / UCL Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre ?Investigation of the genes responsible for Charcot Marie tooth disease and related disorders in a UK population and development/implementation of diagnostic guidelines and genetic testing? (PI) (2008-2010) ? CRDC project grant ?Pathomechanism and possible treatment strategies for distal hereditary neuropathies secondary to HSP27 mutations (CO-PI) (2008-2010) ? Muscular Dystrophy campaign centre grant ?Combined Dubowitz and Institute of Neurology neuromuscular centre grant (CO-PI) (2008-2011)
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