Research


TiMS Research Projects

Call for Ideas for new project

Help us to identify a research therapy question around the subject of postural management within MS.

The therapists in MS research project group would like to facilitate a therapy based research project that relates to an aspect of postural management in MS.

We need help from therapists who are currently working with people with MS in order to formulate a research question, which will ultimately be feasible as a small multi-centre case study design research project. We are keen for the research question to have a MDT focus (for example, positioning for swallowing), although all ideas relating to postural management are very welcome at this stage.

Do you have any ideas or questions from your own clinical practice which you feel should be explored as a research project?

Have you previously conducted a case study that demonstrates efficacy of postural management in MS which you would be willing to share with a view to further developing the research question?

We will review all suggestions at our next meeting in June 2010 and thus would like all submissions by Friday, the 28th of May, From this, we would hope to identify particular areas of interest or existing activity, from which we could develop a research question that the Therapists in MS group can act to facilitate and support using a previously developed case study design.

Please e-mail your ideas, suggestions or any questions you may have to the TiMS Research Project Group at:

email: therapists@mstrust.org.uk

Current Project

Core stability exercises for improving balance in people with MS

A collaborative UK research project, facilitated and supported by the Therapists in MS initiative aimed at answering the research question:

Does core stability training have an effect on balance and mobility in people with MS?

Using an innovative approach to research, the TiMS project team were responsible for co-ordinating a number of physiotherapists from different UK centres who each undertool case studies using an agreed programme of core stability exercises.

  • Five Physiotherapists participated in the study as site researches
  • Data collection and analysis is complete
  • Different patients responded differently, highlighting the value of undertaking mulptiple single case studies

Both the Results and the Innovative Process used are now being disseminated; these will be

  • Submitted for publication as and where relevant
  • A poster on the research process was presented at the MS Trust Annual conference in November 2009, detailing learning opportunities provided and linking to the recently produced MS Trust "Competencies" document.
  • A poster/ presentation on the analysis of results will be made at this year's MS Trust annual conference in November
  • Published in the MS Trust Newsletters, on the MS Trust website and on the TiMS Website
  • It is anticipated that individual researchers will present their own case studies at local levels

Discussion is underway as to "next steps" to facilitate a further project based on this innovative process which may be multidisciplinary in focus


Reference lists for therapists

In partnership with the MS Trust Information Team, the Therapists in MS Research working group are producing reference lists, which are intended to assist other professionals who might be:

  • Preparing talks
  • Writing papers
  • Planning their own research
  • Key References on Therapy Interventions in MS
    This list of references provides key references that demonstrate the efficacy of therapy interventions in MS management.

MS Trust Information Service

The MS Trust's team of information professionals is on hand to help with any questions you may have about MS, whether it be information that will allow people to make informed choices about their treatment and life with MS or papers to help support the development of better MS services and care.

We are happy to carry out literature searches and use our collection of medical papers, textbooks and other resources to find positive, practical, evidence based information to match the particular needs of enquirers. If we can't provide answers directly, we will do our best to direct people to other organisations better able to help.

Do you have an enquiry for the MS Trust Information Service?

Telephone: 01462 476700

email: infoteam@mstrust.org.uk