Led by our co-chairs Jody Barber and Susan Hourihan, the working group met remotely in November. We reviewed the TiMS Working Group constitution, as this was last done in 2020, and agreed there were no significant changes needing to be made.
The MS Trust gave us an update on their Advanced MS Champion and Specialist Nurse programmes, and we discussed the education planning for the upcoming MS Trust conference in March.
The group has made connections with external working projects including Transforming MS For All and the Neurological Alliance. Both organisations have service development projects that TiMS has committed to be involved in as represented by specific working group members.
We will be meeting with the MS Trust in January 2024 to discuss how our group can also work more closely with the MS Trust on mutually beneficial projects. The scope of our next working project will then be defined to avoid duplication and to maximise the impact of our work.
The exercise group continue to work on a consensus document of evidence based and expert-opinion options for using exercise as part of a management plan for MS. If anyone wants to contribute or make suggestions, please e-mail us at therapistsinms@mstrust.org.uk
The MS Trust Conference is coming 17 - 19 March 2024 at Hinckley Island.
Early Bird Sign up is now closed. Registration closes 15th January 2024.
Poster Competition entry closes 26 January 2024. We can’t wait to see you all there!
Use code: TIMS80
For a discounted place. These are first come first served and only have 15 Places left.
We would like to welcome all members who are attending conference for the first time to an informal introductory meeting before our AGM. The new therapists meet and greet is on Sunday, 17 March 2024 at 10:15 and the AGM is Sunday, 17 March 2024 at 11:00. Full details can be found on the conference programme here: Conference outline plan (pdf, 246KB)
REFUEL-MS is a 5.5 year research programme that aims to create an app-based user led treatment for MS-related fatigue, using a combination of evidence based cognitive behavioural therapy, exercise and balance techniques. The aim is for this treatment to become part of routine care within the NHS along with a training package for HCPs supporting patients through their REFUEL-MS journey.
The programme is led by Professor Rona Moss-Morris, at King’s College London, in collaboration with a large multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and consultants from different universities and organisations.
One year in, 75 people have been recruited to take part in qualitative interviews and focus groups to better guide the intervention development. These included healthcare professionals (HCPs), people living with MS, as well as their informal or paid carers and loved ones.
Once this work is completed, there will be a pilot study across four sites within NHS and community settings, followed by a large randomised clinical trial across 12 sites, to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the app, alongside implementation outcomes.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved! If you would like to hear more about the project visit www.refuel-ms.com to sign up to our newsletter or to find links to our social media.
We are currently recruiting for more OTs, Dietitians and Speech and Language Therapists from around the UK to join our working group! We meet four times a year, with one of those meetings being face to face. If you would be interested in joining the working group, please contact therapistsinms@mstrust.org.uk with your CV.
If you have a question about any aspect of managing MS, contact the working group and we will do our very best to answer it.
If you would like more information about TiMS, the Working Group and to see the work we have done to date, click on TiMS in the Health Professions section on the MS Trust website.
We will continue to deliver a quarterly newsletter and you can see resources and updates on our Twitter feed @TherapistsInMS. You can also email questions for the Working Party via therapistsinms@mstrust.org.uk
