Celebrating the role of new technologies in transforming the lives of people affected by MS

Chief Executive of MS Research Australia, Matthew Miles, highlighted the potential of new and emerging technologies to help people affected by MS at a recent Harvard and Stamford University panel.

Mr Miles shone a light on how many different kinds of technology are transforming scientific research, the diagnosis and treatment of MS, and facilitating new approaches to global fundraising by bringing information to people’s hand-held devices.

Virtual communities

Drawing attention to the successes of the “Kiss Goodbye to MS” campaign and the growth of the International Progressive MS Alliance, Mr Miles emphasised the power of “virtual communities” of researchers and people affected by MS to break down geographical barriers and unite people around the world around a common cause: finding solutions for people with MS.

Examples included the role of open-source technology – software that is freely available for anyone to view, edit, and redistribute – in revolutionising the way scientists and researchers worldwide can share information and updates about MS.

Health & lifestyle

Mr Miles also highlighted the positive impact of lifestyle-monitoring apps that measure diet and exercise, along with exercise-based games such as the Nintendo Wii, on the physical health of people with MS.

Looking ahead, Mr Miles touched upon exciting new technologies on the horizon, including smartphone technology to detect early warning signs of MS, advanced robotics for more precise diagnostic tests, and affordable home technologies to improve everyday life for people with MS.

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