The Role of Pain in Multiple Sclerosis

Ms Alice Saul

Ms Alice Saul

University of Tasmania, TAS

| Better treatments | Social And Applied Research | Fellowship | 2023 | Investigator Led Research |
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Summary

Pain is prevalent in MS, yet there is uncertainty about the nature of MS-related pain, how pain fluctuates over time in the short and long term, and how it relates to other symptoms of MS.  

While pain has a substantial impact on people with MS, only a few studies have categorised the different types of pain that people with MS experience. Pain is commonly treated in MS, but low levels of relief have been reported.  

This program of work will focus on understanding pain in MS by examining specific types of pain, in terms of prevalence, severity, predictability and its chronic nature. Pain management experiences will be examined by identifying which pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are most frequently used, and which have the highest perceived effectiveness.  

This work will focus on how pain relates to other symptoms of MS and how it fluctuates in the short-term (during the day) and long term (multiple years).  

This project is designed to improve the understanding of individual types of pain in people with MS, to develop advice on pain management for people with MS and health practitioners, and to design treatment intervention studies for specific types of pain. 

Updated: 22 February, 2023

Stages of the research process

Fundamental laboratory
Research

Laboratory research that investigates scientific theories behind the possible causes, disease progression, ways to diagnose and better treat MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 10+ years
Translational
Research

Research that builds on fundamental scientific research to develop new therapies, medical procedures or diagnostics and advances it closer to the clinic.

Lab to clinic timeline: 5+ years
Clinical Studies
and Clinical Trials

Clinical research is the culmination of fundamental and translational research turning those research discoveries into treatments and interventions for people with MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 1-5 years

Investigator

Total Funding

  • $225,000

Duration

  • 3 years – starting 2023

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The Role of Pain in Multiple Sclerosis