CompletedInterventional

MOVE SMART – a feasibility study in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis affects the skin, but it is also linked to higher risks of heart disease and other long-term health problems. People with psoriasis often spend long periods sitting down, which can make these risks worse. The MOVE SMART study aims to find out if moving more can help. This 24-week study tests a simple lifestyle programme. It prompts participants to move for just two minutes after every 30 minutes of sitting or resting. Everyone keeps taking their normal psoriasis treatments. Half the volunteers will be chosen to try the MOVE SMART programme using a small wearable movement tracker. Everything is done from home, with no hospital visits needed. Researchers will check your skin, blood pressure, weight, and blood markers using home test kits to see if this gentle routine improves your health and well-being.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Manchester

Enrolment target

Start

01 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

03 Jun 2026

Psoriasis

What is this study about?

Psoriasis is a long-term condition that causes scaly, inflamed patches on the skin. Doctors now know that psoriasis is not just skin-deep. It causes inflammation throughout the body, which can raise the risk of developing heart disease and poor circulation. Many people living with psoriasis also find it harder to stay active, leading to long hours spent sitting or resting. Spending too much time sitting down is known to be harmful to the heart and general health.

The MOVE SMART study was created to test a practical way to tackle this problem. Instead of asking people to do tiring workouts, the programme encourages people to break up long periods of rest with short bursts of light activity. The idea is to move for just two minutes after every half hour of sitting. Researchers want to see if these small, regular movements can reduce body inflammation, ease psoriasis patches, and protect heart health.

This is a feasibility study, which means it is an early-stage test run. The main goal is to find out if the programme is easy and enjoyable for people to follow at home, and whether patients are happy to take part. If the results look promising, researchers will use what they learn to set up a larger national trial across the UK.

Key takeaways

Tests a simple home programme of two-minute movement breaks after 30 minutes of sitting.
Aimed at adults aged 18 to 60 with long-standing plaque psoriasis who sit for much of the day.
Runs for 24 weeks with zero hospital or clinic visits required.
You continue taking all your usual psoriasis treatments as normal.
Checks whether gentle daily movement improves skin symptoms, heart health, and well-being.

Who may be eligible?

This study is designed for adults aged between 18 and 60 who have plaque psoriasis that first began before they turned 40. Your skin condition should be relatively stable, meaning your symptoms and treatment have stayed the same for at least the past two months. You also need to be someone who spends a large part of the day sitting or resting (around eight hours or more a day).

To take part, you must be able to stand up from a chair and walk around a room for two minutes at a gentle pace. You are welcome to use a walking stick or frame if you need one. You can also join if you have stable psoriatic arthritis, provided it does not stop you from doing light movement.

You cannot take part if you are already very active and spend very little time sitting down. The study is also not suitable for people with severe heart conditions, severe lung disease (like advanced COPD), or suddenly worsening joint inflammation that makes gentle walking unsafe.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged between 18 and 60 years old.
My plaque psoriasis first started before I turned 40.
My psoriasis treatments and doses have stayed the same for the last two months.
I spend eight or more hours a day sitting or lying down.
I can safely stand up and walk for two minutes at a steady pace (with a walking aid if needed).
I do not have severe heart disease or severe lung problems that limit gentle walking.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the study lasts for 24 weeks (around six months), and you will not need to travel to any hospital or clinic appointments. You will continue to take all your usual psoriasis medications and creams just as you normally do.

At the start, you will be placed into a study group. If you are in the MOVE SMART group, you will follow the movement prompts for the first 12 weeks, aiming to move for two minutes after every 30 minutes of sitting. For the second 12 weeks, you can choose your own gentle activities. You will wear a small, discreet sensor on your wrist or thigh to count your movement and sitting time.

At week 1, week 12, and week 24, you will complete simple health checks at home with guidance from the research team. This includes answering questions about your skin and mood, checking your weight and blood pressure, doing a simple finger-prick blood test, and testing your walking ability. You will also be asked to share your thoughts on how easy the programme was to use.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part offers the chance to try a supportive new lifestyle programme designed specifically for people with psoriasis. You may find that moving more lifts your energy, improves your mood, and helps your general health, all from the comfort of your home. The risks are very low. The movement involved is very light, similar to walking gently around your living room. The home finger-prick tests may cause momentary discomfort or a small bruise. As with all research, you are free to stop taking part at any time, and doing so will never affect your usual NHS care.

Locations (2)

University of Manchester
Approximate
Manchester, England
Salford Royal
Approximate
Salford, England

Common questions

Do I have to change or stop my current psoriasis medication?

No. You will continue taking your prescribed treatments exactly as advised by your regular doctor throughout the entire study.

Will I have to travel to a hospital or clinic?

No. The entire study takes place in your own home. Test kits and monitors will be sent to you, and the team will support you remotely.

What kind of exercise do I have to do?

You do not need to do heavy exercise or gym workouts. The programme simply asks you to break up sitting time with two minutes of gentle movement, such as walking around your room.

What is a feasibility study?

It is a smaller test run to see whether a new programme works well in real life and whether patients find it practical, before launching a much larger clinical trial.

Can I leave the study if I find it too difficult?

Yes. Taking part is completely voluntary. You can withdraw at any point without giving a reason, and your regular NHS medical care will stay the same.

How to find out more

Russ Cowper

rascalrussky@googlemail.com - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.