Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses are on the rise, with over 33,000 Australians diagnosed in the latest study.

It’s well known that exercise is beneficial for people living with MS, however they need more expert advice from health professionals to experience these benefits.

Associate Professor Yvonne Learmonth, from Murdoch University’s School of Allied Health, is able to collaborate with researchers across Australia, the UK, US and Canada to co-design an exercise toolkit for people living with MS thanks to a grant from MS Australia.

“We know that people diagnosed with MS want to include physical activity and exercise into their own lives and use it as a tool to empower themselves and to help manage the disease and their lifestyle.

“However, we found MS doctors and nurses lack the confidence, knowledge and tools regarding exercise recommendations for those living with MS. They are unsure what questions to ask the patient with MS regarding exercise and they need to know the best people to refer to in the community, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, to then prescribe exercise.”

Our research project is about empowering MS doctors and nurses by giving them the skills and knowledge to be able to help people with MS initiate and bring exercise into their lives.

Associate Professor Learmonth and her team will co-design an intervention and toolkit for MS healthcare providers to promote exercise to people with MS. The team will design and test their intervention to ensure it can be implemented by doctors and nurses across MS care.

This MS Australia project is an international collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and people living with MS.

“The grant funded by MS Australia really will help to improve communication between healthcare professionals and MS patients. It’s about empowering healthcare providers and individuals living with MS.

“MS Australia brings researchers together and sets up opportunities for collaborations on projects like this one, which is an essential part to creating a better life for people in Australia who are diagnosed with MS.”

Associate Professor Learmonth will be working with researchers the School of Nursing at Murdoch University (Associate Professor Susan Slatyer), neurologists and nurses from the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney, researchers from the University of Melbourne, neurologists from the Perron Institute in Perth, experts in MS and exercise from the University of Illinois in Chicago and the University of Saskatchewan, and individuals from MS, some of whom are researchers at the University of Wollongong.

This project is just one of 35 new research initiatives funded under MS Australia's latest $5.7 million research grant round, which focuses on advancing better treatments, prevention, and cures for MS.

MSWA injected a further $2.4 million into the Grant Round which allowed for the funding of an additional 10 of the 35 funded projects guaranteeing important MS research would commence, not just in Western Australia, but throughout the country.

MSWA CEO, Melanie Kiely said she is delighted that MSWA can bolster MS research efforts nationally and praised the generosity of the Western Australian community that has, for so long, enthusiastically supported the work of MSWA and the community we serve.

“Ultimately this investment is about getting us closer to cures, closer to better treatments and ensuring Australians living with MS stay stronger for longer so they can do what matters to them in life.”

“This contribution to the national research program would not be possible without our Western Australian community who continue to generously support our work in support of people living with MS and many other neurological conditions,” Ms Kiely said.