Digital innovation in MS

Dr Tintoré reviews the different sources of real-world data available and the importance of being able to share this data, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also gives successful examples of digital technology used in other fields of medicine and metrics already measured by technology that correlate well with clinical trial measures of disability in MS, like the EDSS.

Dr Tintoré discusses how the MS PATHS project, an international effort to better quantify multiple sclerosis (MS) patient disease outcomes, uses a self-administered multiple sclerosis performance test (MSPT) to allow patients to collect data for a range of metrics at each clinic visit, hence minimising the burden on care providers to do this.

Dr Tintoré describes how physical and cognitive changes are inadequately measured in the early phases of MS and how digital monitoring could help capture data on the progression of MS from the very beginning. She also shares how the MS PATHS project is using quantitative MRI and biobanked samples to potentially enhance their approach to disability monitoring.

Sharing two more digital technology projects, Dr Tintoré explains how the RADAR-CNS project is being used to test the utility of technology to detect mood changes and gait dysfunction in MS and how the FLOODLIGHT project was used to evaluate the feasibility of remote patient monitoring using digital technology.

Dr Tintoré describes the advantages of digital tools for monitoring MS such as the visualisation of real-world patient outcomes, improved efficiency of the Dr - patient interaction, early detection of disease changes and the empowerment of patients. She also describes the challenges being addressed along the path to adopting these tools.