Research Projects

This study investigates outcomes of multiple sclerosis (MS) across race and ethnicity. We are interested in health behaviors and outcomes among persons with MS across diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and how these outcomes differ as a function of social determinants of health. This research addresses a void in the literature on health behaviors and outcomes as a function of race and ethnicity, and will inform the development of health and wellness programs for the diverse population with MS. We are seeking volunteers with and without MS who:

1. are of at least 18 years of age
2. are willing to complete testing procedures
3. are able to speak, read, and understand English, and
4. have access to Internet and Wi-fi.

Visit our website or contact Victoria at (312) 355-0383 or ENRL@uic.edu.

This study examines the benefits of remotely delivered, culturally tailored exercise training programs for African Americans with MS residing in the Southeastern portion of the US. We are comparing two exercise training programs that are based on MS-specific guidelines and delivered remotely in the home/community by behavior change experts for improving outcomes of walking, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. The evidence from this study will support the implementation of exercise programs in clinics providing healthcare for African Americans with MS. We are recruiting individuals who:

1. have a diagnosis of MS,
2. self-identify as African American or Black,
3. live in the Southeastern region of the United States,
4. are between 18-64 years of age, and
5. have access to Internet and email.

Visit our website or contact Denise at (833) 727-1887 or ENRL@uic.edu.

We have developed and tested Internet-delivered programs for lifestyle behavior change among persons with MS over the past 15 years. We are now testing the benefits of two Internet-delivered programs among persons with MS who have slowed cognitive processing speed. The outcomes for this study are collected remotely, and the programs are delivered remotely through the Internet and supported by behavior change coaches via one-on-one video interactions. We are recruiting participants who:

1. are of 18 years and older,
2. have a diagnosis of MS,
3. have Internet and email access,
4. are currently physically inactive, and
5. are able to walk without assistance.

Visit our website or contact Emily at (312) 355-1817, (833) 329-1441, or BIPAMScognition@uic.edu.

This study examines the effectiveness of exercise training for improving depression and other outcomes among persons with MS who have major depressive disorder. We are comparing two remotely delivered exercise training programs for improving depressive symptoms, cognition, and quality of life among persons with MS who have major depressive disorder. We are seeking participants who:

1. are between 18-64 years of age,
2. have an MS diagnosis,
3. have major depressive disorder,
4. have Internet and email access,
5. are currently physically inactive,
6. are willing to complete training,
7. are ambulatory, and
8. use English as a primary language.

Visit our website or contact Alison at (312) 355-1790 or METSforMS@uic.edu.

This is the first study examining the feasibility and efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered, exercise training program for adults (50+ years) with MS who have cognitive and walking impairment. We are examining if this targeted, evidence-based exercise program will produce improvements in cognition, mobility, physical activity, vascular function, and quality of life among adults (50+ years) with MS. We are recruiting participants who:

1. are 50 years of age or older,
2. have an MS diagnosis,
3. use English as a primary language,
4. have Internet and email access, and
5. have mild-to-moderate cognitive and walking impairment.

Contact Peixuan at (312) 355-0383 or HALTMS@uic.edu.

This study is assessing the feasibility of a 16-week remotely delivered, culturally-tailored exercise program for Hispanics/Latinos with MS living in Chicago, IL. We are looking at the potential effect of exercise on physical and cognitive function, MS symptoms, quality of life, and physical activity. We are recruiting participants who:

1. are 18 years of age or older,
2. identify as Hispanic and/or Latino with an MS diagnosis,
3. have been relapse-free for the last 30 days,
4. are able to walk with/without assistive devices,
5. are able to speak, read, and understand English, and
6. currently live in Chicago, IL.

Contact Victoria at (312) 355-0383 or ENRL@uic.edu.

This pilot study examines if physical activity is associated with a blood biomarker of MS disease severity (neurofilament light chain), cognitive function, and vascular health in people with MS. Neurofilament light chain is a blood biomarker of damage in the central nervous system caused by MS. This research will provide the basis for future research examining if physical activity can reverse the effects on MS on brain structure and cellular outcomes. We are currently recruiting participants with or without MS who:

1. age between 18-54 years,
2. no relapse within the last 30 days,
3. ability to walk unassisted, and
4. ability to read, write, and speak English.

For more information, contact Trevor at (312) 355-0383 or ENRL@uic.edu.

Anxiety is common in MS, yet we know very little about how it can be managed. This study examines the effect of a single bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on state anxiety in persons with MS who have elevated anxiety levels indicative of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study may identify the benefits of exercise for treating anxiety symptoms in persons with MS who have GAD. We are seeking participants who:

1. are between 18 and 64 years old,
2. have an MS diagnosis,
3. have elevated anxiety symptoms,
4. had no relapse in the last 30 days, and
5. can walk without assistance.

For more information, contact Petra at (312) 355-0383 or ENRL@uic.edu.

People with MS may have poor walking efficiency, and this can be a source of fatigue and physical inactivity. This study examines if muscle blood flow and oxygenation are associated with walking efficiency and other MS-related symptoms (i.e., physical activity, cognitive and physical function, and fatigue). These findings will give us a better understanding of how to improve walking efficiency in persons with MS. We are recruiting persons with and without MS. Participation would involve a one-time visit to our laboratory. We are seeking participants with or without MS who:

1. between the age of 18-45 years;
2. able to walk without assistive devices; and
3. not pregnant.

For more information, contact Brenda at (312) 355-0383 or ENRL@uic.edu.

The study examines the benefits of a 16-week remotely delivered, physical activity program for persons recently diagnosed with MS (diagnosed with MS for 2 years or less). We are examining if this evidence-based physical activity program will result in improvements in physical activity, MS symptoms, and quality of life among those newly diagnosed with MS. We are recruiting participants who:

1. are of at least 18 years of age
2. diagnosis of MS within the past 2 years
3. able to walk without assistive device
4. have access to Internet and Wi-fi
5. physically inactive
6. on a disease modifying therapy

Visit our website or contact Lexi at (312) 996-6615 or panms@uic.edu.

This study examines the associations among cognition, vascular function, and free-living physical activity in adults with and without MS (18–54 years of age), and helps understand whether/how physical activity might preserve cognition directly or indirectly through adaptations in vascular function among people with MS. This research provides valuable information to guide the development of future interventions to manage MS symptoms and improve health-related quality of life. We are currently recruiting participants who:

1. Age between 18–54 years old,
2. MS diagnosis OR No diagnosis of MS,
3. Ability to walk without assistive devices,
4. English as primary language.

Visit our website below or contact Peixuan Zheng at (312) 355-0383 or PACEMS@uic.edu for more information!

Wheelchair use in MS is often attributable to fatigue as a consequence of muscle weakness. Indeed, fatigue, a prevalent consequence of MS, often becomes debilitating and exhausts energetic resources when carrying-out tasks of daily life and/or interacting with the community, as these require ambulatory mobility. This study examines the effects of a specific exercise rehabilitation program (GH method) on physical function and other disease-related outcomes in persons with MS who use wheelchairs as a primary mobility device. We are looking for people who meet the following criteria:

1. diagnosis of MS
2. age above 18 years
3. no relapse within last 30 days
4. use of wheelchair for mobility in the community
5. ability to walk at least 50 feet (or 65 steps) using an assistive device
6. willingness to complete the assessments and undergo randomization

Elevated anxiety symptoms indicative of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are common, yet understudied, in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Physical activity may be beneficial lifestyle approach to manage anxiety symptoms and this remote survey study will examine factors that influence physical activity participation in persons with MS and GAD. Interested participants will complete a battery of 20 online surveys. Participants can complete the surveys on any device and take breaks as needed. The results of this study will inform the development of physical activity interventions to treat anxiety symptoms in persons with MS and GAD. We are looking for volunteers who meet the following criteria:

1. Physician-confirmed diagnosis of MS
2. Age of 18 or older
3. Elevated anxiety symptoms
4. Relapse-free for at least 30 days
5. Ability to walk
6. Ability to speak, read, and understand English
7. Access to internet and email
8. Willingness to complete study procedures
9. Currently residing in the US
10. Not currently pregnant or nursing

For more information, contact Petra at (312) 355-0383 or ENRL@uic.edu, or click below to start!