Consortium Of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Research Articles

FP14-TU-01 Consortium of multiple sclerosis centers (CMSC) guidelines for a standardized MRI protocol for the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis: 2009 revision

FP14-TU-01 Consortium of multiple sclerosis centers (CMSC) guidelines for a standardized MRI protocol for the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis: 2009 revision

Abstracts from the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts from the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Toward a Consensus on Rehabilitation Outcomes in MS: Gait and Fatigue

A multidisciplinary consensus conference was held on November 28–29, 2007, by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) to determine the most appropriate outcome measures for gait and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The goals of this conference were to 1) improve understanding of gait and fatigue outcome measures being used by rehabilitation professionals treating people with MS; 2) establish consensus on outcome measures; and 3) establish consensus on required follow-up for transfer of this knowledge to rehabilitation professionals. The consensus conference and this document are the initial steps toward achieving the stated goals. Although many measures of fatigue exist, it was recommended that a global outcome measure for fatigue be developed that would 1) include a screen for the functional ramifications of fatigue for activities and participation; 2) be quick and easy to administer; 3) demonstrate psychometric integrity for MS; and 4) examine fatigue over a continuum of the MS disease course. In addition, it was recommended that an assessment battery for fatigue be developed. With respect to gait outcome measures, it was agreed that the following tools should be included in a preliminary chart for use in a clinical setting: the Timed 25-Foot Walk, Timed Up and Go test, Dynamic Gait Index, 6-Minute Walk, and self-reported 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale. The global outcome fatigue measure and assessment battery are currently being developed, and work on a detailed gait outcome measures chart and additional research on commonly used gait outcome measures are in progress.

Abstracts from the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts from the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Twenty Years of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Twenty Years of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 20th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 20th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 19th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 19th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 18th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 18th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Recommendations for Care of Those Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

An extensive review of the literature, along with knowledge that is derived from education and experience, defined a critical need to recommend care for those affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). On behalf of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, the members of the Clinical Care Committee formulated these guidelines, which delineate their recommendations for minimal expectations of care, including a visual framework for care principles and principles of empowerment, as well as specific recommendations for care of those affected by MS for each phase of the disease. (Int J MS Care. 2003; 5: 67–78.)

Abstracts From the 17th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts From the 17th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Minimal Neuropsychological Assessment of MS Patients: A Consensus Approach

Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet patients seen in MS clinics and neurologic practices are not routinely assessed neuropsychologically. In part, poor utilization of NP services may be attributed to a lack of consensus among neuropsychologists regarding the optimal approach for evaluating MS patients. An expert panel composed of neuropsychologists and psychologists from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia was convened by the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) in April, 2001. Our objectives were to: (a) propose a minimal neuropsychological (NP) examination for clinical monitoring of MS patients and research, and (b) identify strategies for improving NP assessment of MS patients in the future. The panel reviewed pertinent literature on MS-related cognitive dysfunction, considered psychometric factors relevant to NP assessment, defined the purpose and optimal characteristics of a minimal NP examination in MS, and rated the psychometric and practical properties of 36 candidate NP measures based on available literature. A 90-minute NP battery, the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS), emerged from this discussion. The MACFIMS is composed of seven neuropsychological tests, covering five cognitive domains commonly impaired in MS (processing speed/working memory, learning and memory, executive function, visual-spatial processing, and word retrieval). It is supplemented by a measure of estimated premorbid cognitive ability. Recommendations for assessing other factors that may potentially confound interpretation of NP data (e.g., visual/sensory/motor impairment, fatigue, and depression) are offered, as well as strategies for improving NP assessment of MS patients in the future.

Abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers: MAY 1999

Abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers: MAY 1999

Research priorities for nurses caring for persons with multiple sclerosis. Nursing Research Speciality Group of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers.

The Delphi technique was used by the Nursing Research Specialty Group of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) to obtain consensus on research priorities related to health and nursing care needs of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their families and particular nursing interventions for which effective outcomes needed to be determined. Three rounds of questionnaires were used in obtaining responses from nurses affiliated with the CMSC and nurses affiliated with National MS Affiliated Centers/Clinics and the Veterans Administration Medical Centers (nonCMSC). Round 1, identification of research items, was the basis for developing a 108 item questionnaire for Rounds 2 and 3. Sixteen of 108 research items were selected by 25% or more of the CMSC or nonCMSC nurses. Among the top research priorities identified by both groups of nurses were determining effective programs to promote quality of life and reduce fatigue, stress and emotional difficulties (anger, anxiety, isolation); promote high level of functioning; and develop strategies for effective handling of cognitive deficits. Research priorities identified in this Delphi study provide direction for conducting collaborative research among CMSC and nonCMSC nurses with the aim of improving clinical practice and health outcomes of MS patients.

What Do We Really Know About Cognitive Dysfunction, Affective Disorders, and Stress in Multiple Sclerosis? A Practitioner's Guide

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients often present with difficult neuropsychological and emotional problems. This article describes work undertaken by the psychology specialty panel in conjunction with a June 1993 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC),sponsored conference entitled What Do We Really Know About MS? We summarize our critical review of one hundred seven controlled studies of cognitive dysfunction, affective disorders, and stress in MS, emphasizing what we know, what we believe we know, and what we do not know but need to know. We also present results of a survey of seventy-six MS practitioners (neurologists and mental health practitioners) covering beliefs about these topics and clinical practices, and we highlight discrepancies between our empirical knowledge and current clinical practices. Based on our literature review and practitioner survey, we identify critical gaps in our knowledge, highlighting the need for research on treatments for MS-related cognitive dysfunction, assessmen...

Balance and Spasticity: What We Know and What We Believe

In September 1992, the Executive Committee of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers selected members for the physical therapy specialty panel. The group's responsibility was to review current literature and clinical practice on spasticity and balance in multiple sclerosis care. This task was achieved through individual work and conference calls and the results were reported at the multidisciplinary What Do We Know About MS? conference in June 1993. With input from forty other health care professionals experienced with MS care, two research questions were generated by the physical therapy panel. The question for balance was Which of the three clinical measurement tools—Tinetti, Berg, or Functional Reach—is the best predictor of falls in the MS client, and how do they correlate with an experienced clinician's subjective evaluation? The question for spasticity was Will a daily stretching program result in decreased spasticity severity and improved functional mobility in ambulatory MS clients? Th...

Communication Disorders and Dysphagia

This article describes the process and findings of a subcommittee of speech-language pathologists formed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. Its purpose was to study MS patient-care issues as they relate to communication disorders and dysphagia. To determine What We Know, a literature review of eighty articles was performed about MS care as it relates to aphasia (5), auditory deficits (7), dysarthria (7), dysphonia (2), dysfluency (1), dysphagia (9), language disorders (5), and cognitive deficits (43). However, because of the lack of current studies, What We Believe was examined through the development of a practitioner survey. Thirty-six speech-language pathologists who provide MS care responded. Results were analyzed, gaps were identified, and questions were raised. This information was presented at the June 1993 CMSC: MS Care Conference in Denver, Colorado. To address What We Do Not Know, this specialty group then met with an interdisciplinary group and a research panel to facilitate...

What Do We Know About MS Care? A Conference

In June 1993, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers sponsored a multidisciplinary conference in Denver, Colorado. The theoretical underpinning of the conference was a new approach to conference development, dubbed the "What Do We Know?" model. This model charges participants to evaluate what is known about MS care based on literature reviews, to ascertain how care is actually practiced, and to identify gaps in existing knowledge through this process. A significant outcome of the conference was the development of research questions and designs that will ultimately lead to multicenter clinical studies.