The Effect of Rituximab on Cognitive and Hand Functions in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT06599307 Phase 2 RECRUITING

The goal of this clinical trial is to know if rituximab can improve cognitive and hand functions in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients with high disability (EDSS 6.5 or more). The main questions it aims to answer are: Can rituximab improve cognitive and hand functions in SPMS patients? Can rituximab improve the quality of life and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in SPMS patients? Researchers will compare patients who receive rituximab to patient who receive placebo to see the effects of rituximab on cognition, hand functions, quality of life and EDSS. Demographic and clinical data as age, gender, disease duration and EDSS will be obtained from each participant. Participants will perform The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS), The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and The MS-QLQ27 questionnaire at baseline and after one year of receiving either rituximab or placebo.

Details

Lead sponsor	Cairo University
Phase	Phase 2
Status	RECRUITING
Enrolment	46
Start date	2024-08-01
Completion	2026-09

Conditions

• Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

Interventions

• Rituximab
• Saline (NaCl 0,9 %) (placebo)

Primary outcomes

• The effect of rituximab on cognitive functions assessed by The Symbol Digit Modalities Test — One year
  The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) presents a series of nine symbols, each paired with a single digit in a key at the top of a standard sheet of paper. Patients are asked to identify the digit associated with each symbol as rapidly as possible for 90 seconds. The outcome measure is the number of correct responses over the 90 seconds time span.
• The effect of rituximab on cognitive functions assessed by The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised — One year
  The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) constitutes of six abstract designs presented to the patient for 10 seconds. The display is removed from view and patients render the stimuli via pencil on paper manual responses. Each design receives from 0 to 2 points representing accuracy and location. Thus, scores range from 0 to 12. There are three learning trials. The outcome measure is the total number of points earned over the three trials.
• The effect of rituximab on cognitive functions assessed by The California Verbal Learning Test-II — One year
  The California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) begins with the examiner reading a list of 16 words. Patients listen to the list and report as many of the items as possible. After recall is recorded, the entire list is read again followed by a second attempt at recall. Altogether, there are five learning trials. The outcome measure is the total number of recalled items over the five trials.
• The effect of rituximab on hand functions assessed by The Nine-Hole Peg Test — One year
  The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) is a wood or plastic board with 9 holes (10 mm diameter, 15 mm depth) and a container. It is administered by asking the patient to take the pegs from a container, one by one, and place them into the holes on the board as quickly as possible. Participants must then remove the pegs from the holes, one by one, and replace them back into the container. The outcome measure is the time taken to complete the activity, recorded in seconds.

Countries

Egypt