Development and evaluation of an interactive web-based decision-making programme on relapse management for people...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Digital Health
• Patient Empowerment

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic CNS disease with relapses in 85% of cases.
• High-dose corticosteroids are standard for acute MS relapses in Germany, offering short-term symptom relief but no proven long-term benefits.
• Current evidence suggests intravenous corticosteroid therapy is not superior to oral treatment, necessitating informed patient decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a web-based relapse management program for people with multiple sclerosis.
• To determine if the program positively influences relapse management strategies.
• To assess the program's impact on patient autonomy and empowerment.

Main Methods:

• A pragmatic, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 188 participants with MS.
• Intervention group received a web-based decision aid, nurse-led webinar, and monitored chat forum.
• Control group received standard information via the same online platform.

Main Results:

• Primary endpoint: proportion of relapses not treated or treated with oral corticosteroids.
• Secondary endpoints include annualized relapse rate, decision-making, empowerment, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.
• A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed facilitators and barriers to the intervention.

Conclusions:

• The study hypothesizes that the web-based intervention will enhance patient empowerment.
• It is expected to positively impact patients' relapse management decisions and outcomes.
• This approach aims to support informed choices in managing multiple sclerosis relapses.