Digital Health Training Network for Multiple Sclerosis Self-management

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive disease and the leading cause of non-traumatic neurologic disability in young adults, associated with reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and a high socio-economic impact. The onset of MS is common between ages 20-40, affecting individuals at their most financially productive moment and impacting negatively on their professional, social and familiar lives. Patients with MS are less likely to be employed, take more sick-leaves and to retire earlier. MS symptoms range from fatigue to visual disturbances, altered sensation, cognitive problems, and mobility issues. MS fatigue is one of the common disabling symptoms, affecting up to 80% of patients, and having a huge impact on their QoL. MS fatigue also impacts on their socio-economic conditions, being the major reason for early retirement among people with MS. Problems in societal participation, such as reduced interactions with family or friends, are very common among fatigued patients. Currently, MS fatigue self-management solutions fail to meet the needs and demands of persons with MS. The objective of the proposal is to enable context-aware technology in the personalization of MS self-management adapted to people affected with MS’ cultural, physical, cognitive, emotional and social state, improving recommendation and treatment to adherence and finally, impacting positively on their QoL. In parallel to address the gap this project will also develop a training program for 10 Early Stage Researchers (ESR) that can implement this project solutions in industrial, clinical and academic environments. Each ESR will participate in a coordinated and specifically designed Individual Research Project (IRPs). The combined IRPs will drive a new interdisciplinary approach to technology-enabled MS fatigue self-management solutions.