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Digital Technology in Clinical Trials for Multiple Sclerosis: a systematic review. (Preprint)


 BACKGROUND
 Clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS) have leveraged the use of digital technology to overcome limitations in treatment and disease monitoring.
 
 
 OBJECTIVE
 To review the use of digital technology in concluded and ongoing MS clinical trials.
 
 
 METHODS
 In March 2020, we searched for “multiple sclerosis” and “trial” on pubmed.gov and clinicaltrials.gov using “app”, “digital”, “electronic”, “internet” and “mobile” as additional search words, separately. Overall, we included thirty-five studies.
 
 
 RESULTS
 Digital technology is part of clinical trial interventions to deliver psychotherapy and motor rehabilitation, with exergames, e-training, and robot-assisted exercises. Also, digital technology has become increasingly used to standardise previously existing outcome measures, with automatic acquisitions, reduced inconsistencies, and improved detection of symptoms. Some trials have been developing new patient-centred outcome measures for the detection of symptoms and of treatment side effects and adherence.
 
 
 CONCLUSIONS
 We will discuss how digital technology has been changing MS clinical trial design, and possible future directions for MS and neurology research.
