MS Study spotlight: FutureMS-2

Tell us about who you are and your role in FutureMS-2

I'm a registered nurse with 6 years of clinical research experience. I came to the University of Edinburgh to work in MS research in 2018. Initially, I conducted study visits for FutureMS and other MS research projects. I always enjoyed working on FutureMS and was struck by the enthusiasm for research in this incredible group of people. I was delighted to be able to take on a project management role with FutureMS-2 as my focus in early 2020. Since then, I have worked with the wider team to help put the wheels in motion to launch FutureMS-2 in 2021.

Since the launch of the next phase of FutureMS-2 in October last year, how have things been going?

We've seen over 30 people so far but our team is slowly contacting everybody to invite them back again as they reach 5 years from their diagnosis. We are still in the process of reopening sites in Dundee, Aberdeen, and Inverness. Like most research areas, we are still feeling the effects of the pandemic, both for staff and participants hoping to attend. We are hoping to be able to pick up the pace of our activity in the late spring of this year.

What are the major aims of the study, what do you hope to find out?

Simply put, the major aims of FutureMS2 are still to create tools that will allow personalised treatment for people with MS.

Can you tell us what the major changes in this new phase of the FMS study are compared to the original study?

The study visits include very similar activities for participants. One exciting update is the expansion of an extended brain MRI sub-study to include Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee. We are also exploring hidden disabilities in more depth based on feedback from people that took part in the original study. This includes a more in-depth look at pain, fatigue, sleep, sexual function, and more!

How will that help in finding out about the progression of MS in people recently diagnosed?H

The new phase will help as it gives us an even more detailed picture of the way MS can affect different people over time. This will add hugely to our ability to understand MS and work towards 'predicting the future.'

You are only seeing people from the original study, is that correct?

Yes, the appointments that have already happened are just the first steps. MS is a long-term condition. Therefore, to really understand the impact of MS on the individual, we need to not only map what happened to someone at the point of diagnosis but also follow these same individuals over time. We want to continue to build a rich portrait of every individual's MS journey.

What should someone who was on the original study do now?

Please get in touch with us directly via our study email address if any of your details have changed or you have any questions about taking part. Otherwise, we look forward to reaching out to you closer to five years after your very first FutureMS appointment.

Find out more

To find out more about the FutureMS-2 study visit our page: FutureMS-2