Feasibility of a Wheelchair Exercise Training Program for People with Multiple Sclerosis
A study involving 24 individuals with MS assessed the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a wheelchair exercise training program. Participant satisfaction was high, and preliminary results showed positive changes in metabolic health benchmarks, with over 50% of participants meeting efficacy criteria. Only one adverse event occurred.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Positive
Why it matters
The findings suggest that exercise programs may be beneficial for people with MS who use wheelchairs, encouraging further exploration into their potential health benefits.
What this does not prove
The small sample size limits the generalizability of the results, and its preliminary nature necessitates cautious interpretation and additional validation.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- 24 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Yes
- Controlled
- Yes
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-12
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceFeasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Efficacy of a Wheelchair Exercise Training Program in People With Multiple Sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2026-014
Supporting passages (9)
subjectsCONCLUSIONS: The stakeholder-informed exercise training program was feasible, safe, and acceptable among people with MS who use wheelchairs.
sample sizeMETHODS: Twenty-four participants were enrolled, and 23 were randomly assigned into the 16-week exercise intervention or a wellness control condition.
randomizedMETHODS: Twenty-four participants were enrolled, and 23 were randomly assigned into the 16-week exercise intervention or a wellness control condition.
controlledMETHODS: Twenty-four participants were enrolled, and 23 were randomly assigned into the 16-week exercise intervention or a wellness control condition.
outcomeThe results support a larger clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the exercise intervention in improving metabolic health and MS symptoms.
findingsRESULTS: Participant satisfaction was high across both conditions (4.5 and 4.6 out of 5). We conducted a rapid qualitative data analysis of semistructured interviews on participants' experiences, barriers, and future research interests. Preliminary efficacy outcomes indicated that 50% or more of intervention participants achieved at least a 0.5 SD change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total self-reported physical activity, and depression. Only 1 study-related adverse event was reported.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-12
limitationsTitle: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Efficacy of a Wheelchair Exercise Training Program in People With Multiple Sclerosis.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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