12-Week Strength and Functional Exercise Program for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Trial (HSPMOVE)

This study aims to evaluate whether a 12-week program of strength and functional exercises can improve movement and daily function in people with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). Participants will take part in supervised exercise sessions twice a week, delivered by videoconference, with guidance from a physiotherapist. The exercises will be tailored to each participant's abilities and goals and will focus on improving muscle strength, balance, and walking. The study is a randomized crossover trial, meaning that all participants will experience both the exercise program and a comparison period without the intervention. Eligible participants are individuals aged 16 to 70 years with a clinical or genetically confirmed diagnosis of HSP, who are able to walk independently (with or without assistive devices) and have stable treatment for spasticity. Researchers will measure changes in walking ability, balance, muscle strength, and quality of life using clinical scales and functional tests. These include walking tests, mobility assessments, and questionnaires about daily activities and confidence in movement. To reduce bias, outcome assessments will be performed by an evaluator who is blinded to the participants' group allocation. The results of this study will help determine whether a structured exercise program is safe, feasible, and effective for improving motor symptoms in people with HSP, and may support its use as part of routine care.