Mobility Aids for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Principal Investigator: Rory A. Cooper, PhD

Co-Investigators: Diane Collins, PhD, OTR/L; Annmarie Kelleher, MS, OTR/L, ATP; Rosemarie Cooper, MPT, ATP; Ana Souza, MS, PT.

Funding Source: National Multiple Sclerosis Society

2006 -2007

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects 2.5 million people worldwide. Much of current understanding about mobility-related assistive technology (MAT) use, or lack of use, among persons with MS comes from personal narratives and observations based largely on clinical judgment and experience. Extensive reviews of reference databases several years ago found, "few studies directly related to the application of assistive technologies for people with MS."

The objective of this project is to explore the mobility-related assistive technologies (MAT) needs — from first recognizing the need for ambulation aids, through use of ambulation aids (canes, crutches, walkers), and finally to use of wheeled mobility aids (manual and power wheelchairs, scooters) — among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) aged 18 years or older. Further, we will investigate the appropriateness of MAT being currently used by study participants, and after a mobility-related assessment, we will make recommendations regarding the most appropriate MAT for study participants.

Currently, we have 98 subjects enrolled, 86 of whom we have collected all data of part one and 21 follow up data were collected. A total of 3 persons formally requested to withdrew the study. An active search for additional participants is underway