New Online Resource Helps Patients Manage Mobility Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

TORONTO, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — ~ MobilityMattersinMS.ca is the First Canadian Website Dedicated to Mobility Impairment in MS ~

Mobility impairment is the most significant physical symptom of having multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, the results of an international study show that Canadian patients consistently rank walking as their highest priority among thirteen bodily functions including vision, cognition and bladder control, regardless of the degree of impairment or disease duration.1 MobilityMatterinMS.ca, developed by Biogen Idec Canada, is the first Canadian online resource that provides information to help patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals manage the symptoms of mobility impairment in MS.

Multiple sclerosis is a complex, neurologic disease that impacts overall quality of life with a wide range of symptoms. The international Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Research – IMPACT survey reveals that nearly one-half (48 per cent) of Canadian MS patients experience difficulties with mobility within one month after diagnosis,2 increasing to 92 per cent within 10 years of diagnosis.3

“Research advances have provided MS patients with improvements in the treatment of their disease, but the management of symptoms like mobility continues to be a significant challenge,” said Dr. Daniel Selchen, MD, FRCPC, neurologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. “Symptoms of mobility impairment in MS are usually progressive, and cause a profound effect on the independence, quality of life and daily activities of many patients. Patients and healthcare professionals alike require additional resources to fully assess the impact of loss of mobility and know how to better manage it.”

MobilityMattersinMS.ca offers patients and caregivers information regarding the difficulties with mobility as a result of MS. Daily tips, mobility polls, event listings, real life stories and an assortment of tools such as Maximizing Your Mobility exercise videos and Mobility Matters in MS Pedometer iPhone Application, are available to help patients understand and cope with the physical implications caused by the symptoms of mobility impairment in MS.

“Physicians are consistently seeking new and innovative ways to help people with MS and their families cope with this disease,” said Dr. Selchen. “MobilityMattersinMS.ca is a welcome and encouraging resource that can assist patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with the management of mobility issues in MS.”

MobilityMattersinMs.ca is an important development in the management of mobility impairment in MS as more than one-third of patients turn to online resources like social media to share their experiences with mobility difficulties.4 Family and caregivers of patients will also benefit as Canadians are the most avid viewers of online video,5 and nearly 80 per cent of people aged 16 and older, or 21.7 million people, use the Internet for personal reasons.6 Of Canadian internet users, 64 per cent of Canadian internet users search for medical or health-related information.7

Results from the IMPACT study Other results from the IMPACT study confirm the significance that MS patients and healthcare professionals place on mobility impairment. For 78 per cent of patients, mobility impairment is a constant issue8 and at least once per week, the majority of MS patients (80 per cent) experience difficulties with mobility.9 A significant number of Canadian MS patients feel limited (50 per cent) and frustrated (44 per cent)1 due to mobility impairment and its most common symptoms, which includes weakness in the legs (90 per cent), difficulty walking (88 per cent), lack of balance (88 per cent), and slowness in movement (86 per cent).11