Novartis launches multiple sclerosis study using data collected from smartphones

Novartis announced the launch of the elevateMS trial, which will use a mobile application that enable researchers, via their smartphones, without the need for clinic visits to obtain sensor-based movement and symptom data from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study targeted to improve understanding of the daily challenges associated with MS and "to uncover new potential measurements of treatment effectiveness through real-time data collection from participants in their everyday life," Novartis said.

This data may provide researchers with new ways to look at how the disease progresses and effectiveness of treatment.

In the study, which Novartis developed in partnership with Sage Bionetworks, US participants will use the elevateMS app that was built on the Apple ResearchKit platform launched in 2015. The app "will capture participant responses to questionnaires, passive and active sensor-based movement data, and functional performance tasks completed by the participants," Novartis explained, adding it will also allow users to view how their data change over time.

Stanley Cohan, a scientific advisor to the study, said "as physicians, we always want to know how our patients with MS are doing on the treatments we prescribe." He added that "with the elevateMS app, study participants can frequently document their symptoms in a personal health story. In turn, this data may provide researchers with new ways to look at disease progression and treatment effectiveness."