Rehabilitation is more than physical recovery — it’s about supporting people with MS to live actively, independently, and with confidence.
In this second episode of our ECTRIMS 2025 mini-series, we explore five new studies that highlight how modern rehabilitation is becoming more digital, personalized, and holistic. From robot-assisted assessments and telerehab programs to caregiver support and integrated care models — the future of MS rehab is already here.
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🤖 Poster 1 – Smarter Testing – Combining Thinking and Moving in One Digital Tool
Title: Robot-based assessment of motor-cognitive dual-task abilities in unimpaired adults
Authors: E. Misley et al
📝 Summary:
This study tested whether digital tools could reliably measure how well people perform tasks that involve thinking and moving at the same time — a challenge many people with MS face. Although this initial study was done in healthy adults, the goal is to eventually use the approach in MS care.
👥 Who took part:
30 healthy adults — to test the tool before using it with people with MS.
🛠️ What they did:
Participants completed well-known cognitive tests (like the Trail Making and Bells Cancellation tests) on both paper and a digital device — sometimes while also doing a physical task.
📌 What they found:
The digital and paper tests produced similar results, with good consistency.
The digital versions were sometimes quicker to complete — likely due to easier interaction.
These tools could help detect problems in real-life multitasking (e.g. walking while talking) — which traditional paper tests may miss.
🌟 Why it matters:
Being able to think clearly while moving is essential for everyday independence. A validated digital test like this could help identify subtle dual-tasking challenges earlier and more precisely — and support personalized rehab plans in the future.
🔬 Evidence level & relevance for patients:
Evidence Level: Early-stage (feasibility study in healthy adults)
Reliability: Promising first results; not yet tested in people with MS
What it means for you: This kind of smart testing could lead to better, more targeted therapies — especially if you struggle with thinking and physical tasks at the same time.
🏥 Poster 2 – Evaluating effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation services at a national MS Rehabilitation Center in Norway
Authors: Gunnes, M., Loyning, I.G., et al
Institutions: SINTEF (Norway), MS-Senteret Hakadal AS (Norway), University of Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (UK)
✅ Summary:
This study examined how inpatient rehabilitation services affect people with MS (PwMS), specifically looking at symptom burden, quality of life, and psychological wellbeing.
Who took part: 103 people with MS (87.2% participation rate), aged 26–77, at a national rehabilitation center in Norway.
What they did: Patients were assessed on admission, at discharge, and again six weeks later.
What was measured: Symptom burden, self-efficacy, MS acceptance, and physical/psychological impact using a tailored questionnaire package.
📌 Results:
Significant reduction in symptoms and improvement in self-efficacy and quality of life during the stay.
Gains remained partially stable 6 weeks later, though some regression occurred – underlining the importance of ongoing support.
Patients valued a balanced approach, time to adapt, regular follow-up, and flexibility in data collection, including digital tools.
💡 Why it matters:
This is one of the few studies to systematically evaluate MS rehab across physical, psychological, and quality of life domains. It demonstrates that inpatient care helps, but long-term effects require sustained follow-up and potentially digital support.
🔎 Cochrane Evidence Level: Level II
Reliability: High – Good sample size and validated measures across multiple time points.
Relevance: Very High – Addresses real-world rehab needs and tracks lasting effects.
Takeaway: Inpatient rehab can greatly improve life with MS, but only continued care (e.g., outpatient or digital programs) can maintain the progress.
🏡 Poster 3 – The Effectiveness of Combining a Home-Based Digital Motor Telerehabilitation Program with Conventional Therapy in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Straudi S. et. al
Reference: DIGITAL HEALTH. 2025;11. doi: 10.1177/20552076251323995
💡 Summary:
This multicenter, randomized controlled trial investigates whether combining a 12-week digital telerehabilitation program with conventional hospital-based therapy provides added benefits for people with progressive forms of MS (SPMS or PPMS).
Who took part: 26 people with progressive MS (mean age 57.4 years; 14 female, 12 male), divided into experimental (EG) and control groups (CG).
What they did: Both groups received 10 in-hospital rehab sessions; only EG added a 12-week home-based telerehabilitation component (3x/week).
What was measured: Mobility (TUG test), secondary outcomes (cognitive and motor function, fatigue, pain, perceived quality of life), and user satisfaction.
📊 Results:
No significant differences in mobility or functional tests between groups, but only one secondary outcome (illness perception) improved significantly.
Participants reported high satisfaction with the telerehab system (mean 3.28/4) and a positive in-home experience (7.33/10).
Technology was well tolerated and affordable; 30% used assistive devices and 21% had home adaptations.
🔍 Why it matters:
While clinical effects were limited in this small sample, the strong acceptability and usability suggest that digital telerehabilitation could be a practical, patient-friendly option to maintain rehab continuity—especially for those with mobility or access limitations.
🔬 Evidence & Implications:
Cochrane Level: II (early-stage RCT, small sample size).
Reliability: Promising, but larger trials needed to confirm clinical benefits.
Takeaway for patients: If you’re living with progressive MS, adding digital rehab at home might not significantly improve outcomes yet—but it’s convenient, well-tolerated, and could help keep you active and engaged between clinic visits.
🧭 Poster 4: Effectiveness of Disease Management Across Healthcare Settings
Title:
Effectiveness of disease management across health providing settings: the Multiple Sclerosis Center is a pillar for multi-disciplinary practices that promote quality of life for people with MS
Authors:
E. Grigoriadou et. al
🧠 Summary:
This study looked at how receiving MS care in a specialized MS center compares to more general healthcare settings (like private clinics). Researchers surveyed 776 people with MS about their care experiences and health outcomes.
What they did: Compared patients treated in specialized MS centers to those seen in general practice.
What they found: Those treated in MS centers had:
Faster access to doctors and MRI scans
Fewer limitations in daily life and mobility
Less pain and discomfort
Better quality of life
Patients also reported that MS centers adapted better during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering continuous care via telemedicine.
🔬 Evidence Level:
This is a large observational study, not a clinical trial. While it can’t prove cause and effect, the findings are robust due to the large number of participants and detailed analysis.
💡 Why it matters for people with MS:
If possible, getting care at a specialized MS center may offer faster diagnosis, more tailored treatment, and better support—leading to a higher quality of life. Especially for people with complex symptoms, this kind of focused, coordinated care can make a meaningful difference.
❤️🩹 Poster 5 – Enhancing resilience among MS family caregivers: A digital resource (DigiTRAC) prioritisation study
Authors: Fakolade A., Cardwell K., Finlayson M., Tomasone J., O’Sullivan T., Pilutti L.
Institutions: Queen’s University, University of Ottawa, Providence Care Hospital, Canada
🧠 Summary:
This study explored how to design a digital resource to support family caregivers of people with MS (PwMS), who often experience emotional strain, unmet support needs, and high caregiving burdens. It aimed to identify content and feature priorities from both caregivers and healthcare providers to guide the creation of a digital tool that enhances caregiver resilience and well-being.
Who took part:
Interviews and surveys with 11 MS family caregivers, 4 service providers, and 7 organizational representatives; followed by 60 participants in a national survey (caregivers and professionals).What they did:
A two-phase, mixed-methods study:Interviews and focus groups identified caregiver needs.
A national survey ranked content (e.g., MS treatment info, coping skills) and digital tool features.
What was measured:
Participants’ priorities for digital caregiver resources and design preferences like usability, security, and adaptability.
📊 Results:
Top content priorities included:
MS treatment information
Caregiving skills
Caregiver emotional wellbeing
Top feature priorities included:
Ease of use
Privacy and confidentiality
Ability to personalize content
Open-ended responses emphasized the need for:
Easy-to-understand formats
Multi-media (video, text, audio)
Accessibility for tech-novice users
Sharing information with healthcare teams
💡 Why it matters:
Caregivers often feel alone and overwhelmed. A thoughtfully designed digital tool could offer practical, emotional, and informational support tailored to real needs. Involving users in the design phase helps ensure the final product is truly helpful and user-friendly.
🔍 Cochrane Evidence Level: Not applicable yet – exploratory, qualitative/pre-design phase.
Reliability: Good conceptual grounding from real-world caregiver voices, but no clinical outcome data yet.
Relevance: High – reflects direct needs of caregivers and could lead to targeted support solutions.
Next step: Develop and test the actual digital tool for usability and impact.
🎯 Takeaway for caregivers:
Help is on the way. This study is shaping a digital platform just for MS caregivers – focused on your needs, in your words. It’s still in development, but it’s being built with empathy and practicality in mind.
🧭 What’s next?
In the following Episode, we’ll explore:
Coordinated care models
Home-based data monitoring
Early detection of cognitive and physical changes
… and how these approaches may shape a more personalized future in MS care.
📚 Sources
All studies were presented at ECTRIMS 2025.
Summaries based on original posters by the listed authors.
Click here for the Episode on (Cognitive Rehabilitation).
See you soon and try to make the best out of your life,
Nele
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