New study explores the evidence behind members of the multidisciplinary team in multiple sclerosis care

While the concept of Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) care for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been widely endorsed, a new study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders explored the specific evidence supporting each MDT member. Conducted by researchers from Trinity College Dublin, St. James’s Hospital, FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre, and the University of Oulu, the systematic literature review examines the evidence supporting individual healthcare professionals in an MS Unit, identifying both well-supported roles and areas requiring further research.
Global Patient Innovator Award goes to our researcher Guido Giunti
Adjunct Professor Guido Giunti, Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu

MS is one of the leading causes of non-traumatic disability in young adults, affecting cognitive, motor, sensory, and emotional functions. While pharmacological treatments can slow disease progression, they cannot reverse existing damage, making comprehensive, team-based care essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

"MS affects people in so many different ways, so it makes sense that the best care comes from a team of specialists working together," said Michael Savio, main author at Trinity College Dublin. "With this paper, we wanted to show the evidence behind that approach and highlight just how important psychology is in supporting people with MS."

The study emphasizes the need for further research into underexamined MDT roles. The findings call for healthcare institutions and policymakers to consider staffing priorities in MS care, ensuring that mental health professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and other key team members are fully integrated into MS Units.

"Our research shows you the evolving landscape that is MS care," added Dr. Guido Giunti, co-author and researcher at the University of Oulu. "Just as we didn’t have enough evidence on the specific roles for the MS unit, we face a similar challenge with how we are approaching technology in patient care. We are seeing more digital health solutions for MS but how will they be integrated into these multidisciplinary teams?"

Strong evidence for some roles, uncertainty for others

The study reviewed over 400 publications, analyzing findings from 47 eligible research papers and found consistent support for several key professionals in MS care:

  • Neurologists and MS nurses were universally recognized as essential for managing disease progression, coordinating care, and providing patient education.
  • Physiotherapists played a significant role in mobility, rehabilitation, and even managing mental health concerns like anxiety.
  • Psychologists and mental health professionals emerged as critical but underrepresented members of MS teams, with strong evidence linking their involvement to improved mental health outcomes and better coping mechanisms for patients.

Despite broad recognition of MDTs in MS care, some roles lacked robust supporting evidence:

  • Occupational therapy, often considered an important part of neurorehabilitation, was surprisingly underrepresented in the literature.
  • Inpatient rehabilitation practices varied widely across studies, with no clear standardization of best practices.
  • Speech and language therapy and urology services showed mixed levels of evidence, with some studies supporting their importance but a lack of large-scale research validating their impact.

These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive, team-based approach to MS care and the need for continued research to optimize patient outcomes. According to Dr. Hugh Kearney, co-author and neurologist at St. James’s Hospital:

"Healthcare practice and policy are best when informed by research evidence. In this case, we derive evidence for the need for psychologists in an MS unit. We believe this should now inform policy in relation to allocation of resources."

The study, “Evaluating the Evidence Behind Multidisciplinary Roles for a Multiple Sclerosis Unit: A Systematic Literature Review”, was published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders in February 2025. The research was supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant Number 21/RC/10294 and 16/RC/3948, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund and by FutureNeuro industry partners, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action grant agreement No. 101034252.

Last updated: 4.3.2025