Digital tools transforming MS Care: Insights from the IPMSA workshop
From 25–27 June 2025, MSWA participated as a funder in the International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance (IPMSA) Digital Tools Workshop held in Philadelphia, USA. The event brought together global experts, clinicians, innovators and people with lived experience to explore how digital technologies can enhance personalised MS care and accelerate clinical trials.
A central theme of the workshop was patient empowerment. With the rise of telehealth, wearable devices and mobile apps, digital tools are increasingly being used to support people living with MS, especially those with limited access to specialist services or who benefit from continuous monitoring. These technologies offer new ways to integrate care into daily life, making it more accessible and responsive.
Participants emphasised the importance of equitable access and user-friendly design, with people living with MS playing a key role in shaping tools from the ground up. For digital tools to be effective, they must be sensitive and specific enough to validate patient experiences, support symptom management and facilitate meaningful engagement with healthcare provider, while minimising effort and burden for people with MS.
One promising area is data tracking, which allows individuals with MS and their healthcare team to monitor their condition, respond quickly to changes and better understand their treatment options. Emerging technologies are also exploring predictive analytics to forecast disease progression, helping both patients and clinicians make informed decisions.
Digital tools also offer significant benefits for those in regional and remote areas, removing barriers related to travel and time. Remote delivery of care can improve symptom management for individuals facing fatigue or mobility challenges, while also enriching clinical practice through real-time data collection. These insights provide a clearer picture of disease progression and treatment response, often capturing day-to-day fluctuations that traditional clinic visits may miss.
Beyond monitoring, digital tools can serve as therapeutic interventions, offering improved access to services like physical and speech therapy. They empower individuals to tailor their care to their unique needs and circumstances.
The workshop also addressed the need to bridge research and commercial development. Speed is critical—not only in translating research into outcomes but also in keeping pace with technological advancements. Early collaboration between researchers, developers and people with MS is essential to ensure innovations remain relevant and impactful.
Excitingly, digital tools are showing potential to accelerate clinical trials, delivering meaningful results in months rather than years. This rapid progress increases the likelihood of approving more targeted treatments and encourages greater participation from people with MS, offering renewed hope for improved outcomes.
Finally, the use of AI and big data—including repurposing existing resources like MRI scans—was highlighted as a transformative approach. By leveraging global MS biobank data, researchers can reduce patient burden while uncovering new insights into disease mechanisms and treatment efficacy.
The IPMSA Digital Tools Workshop showcased a future where technology and compassion converge to improve MS care, making it more personalised, accessible and effective.
To watch the summary of the workshop, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VMAnBG5Pqo&t=1526s
