Scientific research pushes the boundaries of our knowledge.

The National MS Centre aims to offer integrated, safe, top clinical and integrated tailor-made care pathways for persons with MS and other chronic neurological disorders. Top clinical means that the care offered relies on fundamental and practice-oriented scientific research.

Within this framework, the National MS Centre organises and supports scientific research.

Scientific research is the study of a particular subject in a careful, controlled and systematic way according to clear agreements. The aim of scientific research is to discover or prove certain theories or principles (basic research) or to find out how best to apply knowledge (practice-oriented research).

When do we talk about scientific research?

• The examination has a clear objective.
• The research is conducted according to a strict and precise procedure.
• The research meets methodological, international regulations regarding the testability, replicability, reliability, objectivity and generalisability of scientific research.
• The structure of the scientific research can be easily explained to the participants.
• Scientific research can only be conducted subject to compliance with ethical and privacy-related legislation and after approval by an ethics committee.
• Persons participating in scientific research are adequately informed about the organisation and content of the research and sign a written consent before participating.

Scientific research at the National MS Centre covers several areas.

• Clinical trials using medication to influence MS progression or control symptoms are perhaps the best known. These studies usually take place in an international context, at the initiative of pharmaceutical companies.
• Scientific research also focuses on the evolution of MS, family prevalence, quality of life, comfort of persons with MS and MS-related complaints such as fatigue, impaired concentration and movement disorders.
• Existing or new methods and techniques within nursing and neurorehabilitation are investigated. It may involve evaluating effects of particular components or of neurorehabilitation as a whole or studying biological and/or psychological mechanisms that play a role in the rehabilitation approach to multiple sclerosis.
• Scientific research at the National MS Centre is conducted in a collaborative manner, within and across disciplines, within and outside the centre and nationally and internationally.