Study protocol: improving cognition in people with progressive multiple sclerosis: a multi-arm, randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of cognitive rehabilitation and aerobic exercise (COGEx)

Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the initial pre-screening step

	Inclusion criteria
Diagnosis	A definite diagnosis of PMS determined by neurologist
Age	25–65 years
Ambulation	Not wheelchair dependent (EDSS,< 7.0)
	Exclusion criteria
Substance abuse	Use of illicit drugs, PCP, LSD, Stimulants, Amphetamines, Barbiturates, etc. (Cannabis use is accepted).
Neurological history	Relapses in the past 3 months, a history of central nervous system disease other than PMS such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, etc.
Severe mental illness	Psychotic symptoms, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia.
Medications	Steroid use within the past 3 months.
Transport	Unable or unwilling to travel to the center for testing and training or requiring transportation by ambulance.
Medical contradiction	No medical clearance provided by a physician upon failure of AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Pre participation Screening Questionnaire.
Current exercise activity	Currently performing enough physical activity for health benefits based a GLTEQ score > 23).

PCP Phencyclidine, LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide, AHA American Heart Association, ACSM American College of Sports Medicine, EDSS Expanded Disability Status Scale, GLTEQ Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, PMS Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

ISSN: 1471-2377