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Treatment Adherence in MS: Does Objective MS Knowledge and MS Risk Knowledge Matter in Relation to Perceived

Edward Smith1, Dawn Langdon2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK. edward.smith4@nhs.net.

Neurology and Therapy
|August 13, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patient perception of benefits from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is key for adherence in multiple sclerosis (MS). Knowledge about MS and its risks did not significantly impact this relationship in this pilot study.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Public Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are crucial for managing multiple sclerosis (MS), but adherence remains a challenge, impacting patient outcomes.
  • Patients with MS (pwMS) who perceive greater benefits from DMTs tend to report higher adherence.
  • Understanding factors influencing adherence, such as knowledge, is vital for improving treatment effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MS knowledge and risk knowledge in the relationship between perceived DMT benefits and treatment adherence in pwMS.
  • To explore whether objective knowledge can enhance the link between perceived benefits and adherence.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot study involving 63 pwMS who completed an anonymous online survey.
  • Validated measures assessed perceived adherence benefits, MS susceptibility, MS knowledge, MS risk knowledge, and self-reported treatment adherence.
  • Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between variables.

Main Results:

  • Perceived benefits of DMTs were significantly associated with higher self-reported adherence (B=0.20, p=0.04).
  • Adding MS knowledge and MS risk knowledge to the regression model did not significantly increase the variance explained in self-reported adherence.
  • This suggests that subjective benefit perception is a stronger predictor of adherence than objective knowledge.

Conclusions:

  • An individual's subjective evaluation of DMT benefits is a primary driver of treatment adherence in MS.
  • Interventions aimed at enhancing patient-perceived benefits may be more effective in improving adherence than those solely focused on knowledge transfer.
  • Future research should explore individual and cultural contexts influencing benefit perception.
Keywords:
Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis knowledgeMultiple sclerosis risk knowledgeTreatment adherence

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