Survey on Research Priorities in Multiple Sclerosis

In this survey, you will be asked to share your views on which questions should be prioritized  for research using systematic reviews.

Systematic reviews are used to look at all the scientific evidence available on a particular topic, summarising the results from all the research that exists and to answer a specific question in an objective, transparent and systematic way.

The survey includes 4 steps:

  1. Select up to 3 questions you think are the most important and rank your 3 choices
  2. Tell us more about your choices
  3. If you don’t see a question that is important to you or the people you offer care to, add your question and tell us more
  4. Tell us about you and submit

Thank you for participating. Your views are important.

We are asking for your help to identify the most important questions on Multiple Sclerosis that should be addressed by updated and new systematic reviews over the next 3 years by the Cochrane Review Group: Multiple Sclerosis and Rare Diseases of the Central Nervous System.

Cochrane is a global independent network of researchers, professionals, patients, carers and people interested in health. Cochrane’s work is internationally recognized as the benchmark for high-quality information about the effectiveness of health care.

Our core team (Editorial Base), in collaboration with the Cochrane Neurological Sciences Field, has created a list of 16 questions for possible systematic reviews that we believe are important for the care of people with Multiple Sclerosis. The 16 questions have been approved by the Steering Group of this priority setting project.

We need your help to prioritise this list.

Please think about how important the 16 questions are to you by first selecting your top 3 (three) and then ranking them. You can choose fewer than three questions if you wish. You can suggest your own question later in the survey.

Your participation in the survey is on a voluntary basis. No payments are offered to complete the questionnaire.

The survey is anonymous: you won’t be asked to provide personal information or information that will allow you to be identified. Please indicate your consent for us to use your responses in this project by selecting the box below.

Time to complete the survey will vary depending on how much you want to say. We anticipate it will take around 10-20 minutes. If you prefer, you may ask someone to help you complete the survey.

For more information on this survey, please see the Topic Prioritisation page.

Note: all fields with a red asterisk (*) are mandatory

Step 1 - Select up to 3 top questions and rank your 3 choices

Please read the 16 suggested questions below. Then, select up to 3 questions you think are a priority for a new or updated systematic review. You can select fewer than 3 questions if you wish.

Please choose up to TOP 3 (three) questions and rank your highest priority (1st), second priority (2nd) and third priority (3rd)
1. Does magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help predict disability worsening in people with multiple sclerosis?
2. Do cerebrospinal fluid (spinal tap/lumbar puncture) findings help predict disability worsening in people with multiple sclerosis?
3. Does multidisciplinary care by teams of different social and health professionals improve health outcomes and experiences for people with multiple sclerosis?
4. Is treatment with intravenous steroids more beneficial than oral steroids in people with multiple sclerosis who have relapses?
5. What are the benefits and harms of treating people with multiple sclerosis with one disease-modifying drug* compared to another?
* Alemtuzumab, Azathioprine, Cladribine, Cyclophosphamide, Daclizumab, Dimethyl fumarate, Fingolimod, Glatiramer acetate, Immunoglobulins, Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif), Interferon beta-1b, Laquinimod, Methotrexate, Mitoxantrone, Natalizumab, Ocrelizumab, Pegylated interferon beta-1a, Rituximab, Teriflunomide.
6. What are the benefits and harms of medications for reducing spasticity* in people with multiple sclerosis?
* Aminopyridines, Baclofen, Benzodiazepines, Botulinum toxin, Cannabinoids, Gabapentin,  Tizanidine
7. What are the benefits and harms of further treatment options for people with multiple sclerosis who stop taking a highly efficacious drug (e.g. natalizumab, ocrelizumab, ...)?
8. What should the therapeutic approach be for people with multiple sclerosis, being treated with disease-modifying therapies*, who are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant?
* Alemtuzumab, Azathioprine, Cladribine, Cyclophosphamide, Daclizumab, Dimethyl fumarate, Fingolimod, Glatiramer acetate, Immunoglobulins, Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif), Interferon beta-1b, Laquinimod, Methotrexate, Mitoxantrone, Natalizumab, Ocrelizumab, Pegylated interferon beta-1a, Rituximab, Teriflunomide.
9. What should the treatment approach be for people with multiple sclerosis being treated with disease-modifying therapies*, who test positive for the COVID-19 virus?
* Alemtuzumab, Azathioprine, Cladribine, Cyclophosphamide, Daclizumab, Dimethyl fumarate, Fingolimod, Glatiramer acetate, Immunoglobulins, Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif), Interferon beta-1b, Laquinimod, Methotrexate, Mitoxantrone, Natalizumab, Ocrelizumab, Pegylated interferon beta-1a, Rituximab, Teriflunomide.
10. What are the benefits and harms of exercise for people with multiple sclerosis?
11. How can people with multiple sclerosis be supported in work and social participation?
12. What kind of support can increase participation in treatment decision making by people with multiple sclerosis?
13. What kind of activities can help with self-management and coping by people with multiple sclerosis?
14. What are the benefits and harms of palliative care * for people with advanced multiple sclerosis?
* World Health Organisation Definition of Palliative Care: Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
15. What are the benefits and harms of psychological care for people with multiple sclerosis?
16. Does psychological health affect disease progression in people with multiple sclerosis?
* Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.
Step 2 - Tell us about your top questions

Tell us why – Think about your top questions (you may have selected fewer than 3).

  • Why are these important?
  • What makes them a priority for you or the person(s) you care for?
  • Why would research on these topics be useful?

Please add your reasons why the questions you have selected are important in the text box under the question title.

Tell us more about why these questions are a priority for more research using a systematic review

Step 3 - Suggest another question and tell us more

Add one question - If you don’t see a question that is important to you or the people you offer care to, add one question.
Please briefly describe this additional priority area for research. Would you rank your question in an overall top 3?
Adding one additional question is optional.

Step 4 - About you

A second round of the survey will be organised soon. If you wish to participate again, please click here.

Finally submit your responses. Use the 'Done' button to submit - thank you!