Multiple Sclerosis Society supports UK wide trial of web-based physiotherapy

Researchers within the University of Glasgow have received funding from the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to undertake a multi-centre trial of web-based physiotherapy for people with MS.

Dr Lorna Paul (Principle Investigator) and Dr Elaine Coulter (both Nursing & Health Care School), Dr Alex McConnachie (Robertson Centre for Biostatistics) and Professor Olivia Wu (Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment) will work with colleagues Dr Belinda Weller (NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh) and Dr Jenny Freeman (University of Plymouth) to evaluate the effectiveness of six months of web based physiotherapy in people moderately disabled with MS.

The project will utilise the web platform, webbasedphysio.com, to deliver the intervention. Webbasedphysio.com, developed by Dr Paul and her Rehabilitation Research Group, is a simple, easy to use platform from which people with long term conditions can access a personalised exercise programme which is monitored and altered remotely by the physiotherapist. Web-based rehabilitation is particularly useful for people who have problems accessing traditional clinical services, such as people who have transport problems or live in remote or rural areas and those with work and family commitments.

The study will begin early in 2015 and will last two years.