Shared decision-making for multiple sclerosis using the MS-SUPPORT tool: a plain language summary
- PMID: 40329687
- PMCID: PMC12118401
- DOI: 10.1080/17582024.2025.2493028
Shared decision-making for multiple sclerosis using the MS-SUPPORT tool: a plain language summary
Plain language summary
What is this summary about?The study was done to find out whether using an online tool called MS-SUPPORT can help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their healthcare providers (clinicians) work together when making treatment decisions. This may help people with MS start and stay with the best treatment plan and improve their quality of life.What are the key takeaways?The study found that most people with MS who used the online MS-SUPPORT tool were more likely to start a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) and more likely to follow the prescribed treatment plan. Additionally, they were also likely to recommend it to others and felt that it helped them talk to their doctors. The people who completed MS SUPPORT were more likely to say they understood their MS. They also had fewer days of poor mental health than those who did not use the MS-SUPPORT tool.What were the main conclusions reported by the researchers?These findings suggest the MS-SUPPORT tool can help people to 1) feel more confident talking to their doctors; 2) understand their MS symptoms better; 3) stick with their treatment; and 4) have better overall mental health. This tool may improve quality of life by improving communication with the clinician and engagement in the treatment journey. The findings of this study will help healthcare professionals and people with MS work together more effectively.[Box: see text].
Conflict of interest statement
Nananda F Col reports research grants and payment for participation in Advisory Board from EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, during the conduct of the study; grants from Pfizer, grants from Biogen, grants from Edwards Lifesciences, LLC, and grants from MSAA (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America). Andrew J Solomon reports funding by NIH/NINDS K02NS109340; compensation for consulting or advisory boards from EMD Serono, Genentech, Biogen, Alexion, Celgene, Octave Bioscience, and Greenwich Biosciences, compensation for nonpromotional speaking from EMD Serono, and research support from Biogen; and participated in contracted research with Biogen, Novartis, Actelion, and Genentech. Enrique Alvarez reports consultation or advisory fees for Alexion, Biogen, Celgene/BMS, EMD Serono/Merck, Genentech/Roche, Horizon, Motric Bio, Novartis, Sanofi, and TG Therapeutics; and funding or grants from: Biogen, Genentech/ Roche, Novartis, TG Therapeutics, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Institutes of Health, and Rocky Mountain MS Center. Lori Pbert has nothing to disclose. Carolina Ionete has received research support from Riccio Neuroscience Fund and compensation from Sanofi Genzyme and Bristol Myers Squibb for advisory board participation. Idanis Berrios Morales has nothing to disclose. Jennifer Chester reports personal fees from EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Biogen, Allergan, and Biohaven. Christen Kutz reports as a consultant for EMD Serono, Biogen, Genzyme, BMS, Amgen, Teva, and Alexion. Crystal Iwuchukwu has nothing to disclose. Terrie Livingston was an employee of EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Vicky Springmann, Hannah V. Cola and Long H. Ngo have nothing to disclose. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Plain language summary writing and editorial support were provided by Miranda Bader-Goodman, PHD, and Ebenezer Awuah-Yeboah of Ashfield MedComms (New York, NY, USA), an Inizio company, and Bhavesh Anil Kshirsagar, Merck Specialties Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, India, an affiliate of Merck KGaA. This support was funded by EMD Serono, Inc., Boston, MA, USA, an affiliate of Merck KGaA (CrossRef Funder ID: 10.13039/100004755).
Patient reviewers on this PLSP have received honorarium from
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.
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