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The following is a summary of “Digital Impact on the Management of Multiple Sclerosis,” published in the December 2024 issue of Neurology by Costa et al.
Digital tools can benefit individuals with chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) by providing information, improving access to care, supporting remote monitoring, and enhancing QoL.
Researchers conducted a prospective study to evaluate the impact of digital applications on the management of MS.
They conducted the study at Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon (November 2023 to May 2024), involving 50 bilingual individuals aged 18 and older, diagnosed with MS, who used smartphones. Participants completed an online survey on demographics, symptoms, the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (MusiQOL) questionnaire, and opinions on digital applications for MS.
The results showed that 60% of the 50 participants were female and 40% were male, with a mean age of 38 years and an average of 11 years since diagnosis. The most common symptoms reported were muscle weakness (28%), blurred vision (16%), ataxia (16%), fatigue (14%), tingling (14%), psychiatric symptoms (5%), cognitive dysfunction (2%), and sphincter disturbance (2%), mean MusiQOL score was 58.5. About 40% of participants were satisfied with the information about the disease and treatments, and only 20% received psychological support. Although 76% of participants complied with medical treatments, only 40% adhered to follow-up appointments and tests. Nearly 90% had never used a digital app for MS, but 92% expressed interest in an app for self-rehabilitation, with 94% considering digital apps for MS.
They concluded that digital applications could support individuals with MS by improving monitoring, education, rehabilitation, communication, and autonomy.
Source: msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(24)00678-3/abstract
