MS TRUST CONFERENCE 2008: Therapists in MS 2008 meeting update

The following is a summary of the reports presented at the Therapists in MS meeting held at the MS Trust annual conference held in Leeds, December 2008.

The Therapists in MS (TiMS) held their annual meeting at the MS Trust conference in Leeds on Sunday November 2nd. Approximately 50 therapists from across the UK were in attendance.

The meeting included an update of the work undertaken and achieved over the last year and a discussion about possible projects for the future. Michelle Ennis chaired the meeting and Jane Nicklin represented the TiMS group in the UK MS Specialist Nurse Association meeting which was running in parallel.

Activities undertaken in 2008:

1. Research

Core stability is a real issue for people with MS and the TiMS group has developed a research question, protocol, and information package to support a research project entitled "The effectiveness of core stability training in improving balance and mobility in people with multiple sclerosis". Ethical approval has now been gained, all the local approvals are in place and the study is about to commence in five centres each of whom will undertake two case studies. The study is a multi-centre single case design.

2. Audit

The TiMS group have developed a web-based tool to audit the implementation of the NSF for Long-term conditions. The tool can be used by individual therapists to audit their work, or by teams to audit their progress with implementation of the NSF. The tool will be available to members of the TiMS contact directory from January 2009.

3. Education

A very successful study day was held by the TiMS group in Edinburgh in June 2008 entitled "Mind Matters in MS". Approximately 70 delegates attended and active discussion occurred around cognition, capacity and consent.

The education working group have also developed a booklet on the importance of posture in sitting. This will be available in early 2009 and it is aimed at people with MS and their carers both family and professional.

Plans / ideas for 2009:

  • Completion of the core stability research project
  • Submission of audit tool publication. Sharing and analysis of audit data as it is accumulated
  • TiMS study day
  • Launch of "Are you sitting comfortably? A self help guide to good posture in sitting"
  • Skills development for specialist therapists

For further information on the TiMS group contact therapists@mstrust.org.uk