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NCT Number: NCT06955897

Characterizing Perceived Physical Fatigability in Nusinersen-treated SMA

The purpose of this project is to investigate the utility of the SMA EFFORT, an SMA-specific patient-reported outcome measure, to assess perceived physical fatigability that is anchored to intensity and duration of activities. We aim to characterize perceived physical fatigability (PPF) in a diverse cohort of people with SMA (pwSMA) and evaluate the change of PPF before and after nusinersen dosing.

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Key information

Age range

12 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

About this study

Fatigue and fatigability are symptoms often experienced by people living with spinal muscular atrophy (pwSMA). Nusinersen is shown to extend survival and improve motor function, but fatigue and fatigability persist. Treated patients report changes in their ability to complete repetitive physical activities but a way for measuring this has not been created. While tests completed in the clinic by individuals with SMA highlight that fatigability is an important part of the SMA experience,we do not fully understand how pwSMA experience fatigability with everyday tasks. Anecdotal reports of pwSMA suggest a waning effect in endurance toward the end of their treatment window, however this change has not been measured.The SMA EFFORT is specifically designed for pwSMA and aims to better understand how they feel when completing daily physical activities.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • All types of 5qSMA (homozygous deletion or point mutation of the SMN1 gene and any number of SMN2 copies)
  • Receiving a stable dosing regimen of 12 or 28 mg nusinersen for at least 6 months

Exclusion criteria

  • An injury or surgery within the previous 3 months that would impact their ability to perform in-clinic function and/or fatigability assessments
  • Enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial, or extension study, expanded access program, or long-term registry of an investigational or recently approved medication
  • Receiving adjuvant and/or dual therapy (e.g., muscle-targeted, NMJ, or symptomatic treatments)

Treatment and study plan

Observational

Other

Observational

Primary outcomes

  1. SMA EFFORT

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 week, 1 month

    The SMA EFFORT is a perceived physical fatigability patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that provides a percent (PPF%) total score to each participant based on their participation over the past 30 days.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The RULM is used to assess motor function of the shoulder, mid-level elbow, wrist, and hand.

  2. Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The HFMSE is a 33-item scale designed to assess gross motor function in sitters and walkers with SMA.

  3. Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The 6MWT is an objective evaluation of functional exercise capacity which measures the maximum distance a person can walk in six minutes over a 25-meter linear course.

  4. Six-Minute Mastication Test (6MMT)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The 6MMT is a measure of chewing endurance in which the individual is asked to continuously chew on a chewing tube for a period of six minutes.

  5. Endurance Shuttle Box and Block Test (ESSBT)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The ESSBT is a test of upper limb function that has been adapted to assess performance fatigability in SMA.

  6. Endurance Shuttle Nine-Hole Peg Test (ESNHPT)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The ESNHPT is used to assess more distal, fine motor upper extremity performance fatigability.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Cara Kanner, DPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

516-581-8150

Rafael Rodriguez-Torres, DPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

3472877093

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Columbia University

Other

Collaborators

  • Biogen

Registry information

Official study title

Characterizing Perceived Physical Fatigability in Nusinersen-treated Adolescents and Adults: The SMA EFFORT

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 2, 2025
Registry last updated
May 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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