A Blended Digital Self-Management
tReatmEnt for FatigUe in multiplE scLerosis (REFUEL-MS)

Our aim is to design, develop, evaluate and implement a tailored digital treatment to help manage MS-fatigue.

REFUEL-MS explores thoughts, feelings and actions which research shows can make fatigue better or worse. This knowledge will be used to develop personalised ways of managing fatigue, including incorporating physical activity into daily routines. The treatment will be delivered digitally with guidance from physiotherapists and occupational-therapists.

Why do we need REFUEL-MS?

1 in 500 people in the UK are living with MS.

Fatigue is one of the condition's severe symptoms, shown to impact quality of life significantly. While cognitive and behavioral treatments including exercise hold promise for treating MS fatigue, these are not routinely available in the NHS.

In our survey of 4,210 people living with MS:

90% reported experiencing fatigue, but only 8% had received any treatment

Developing the REFUEL-MS intervention and training facilitators.

Our Process

Understanding how to adapt the intervention for underserved and seldom-heard groups.

Optimising the intervention by determining it optimal features and functionalities

Assessing implementation outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the intervention

Considering contextual barriers and facilitators to refine REFUEL-MS

Integrating the intervention into a sustainable model

Get Involved

Patient and public involvement (PPI) has been crucial throughout the development of the programme and will continue to seek your input as we develop REFUEL-MS. If you are someone living with MS and want to be involved in the co-production of the REFUEL-MS digital intervention, get in touch!

Recruitment for stage 3, which involves a small number of people living with MS testing the functions of the REFUEL-MS app, has now closed to recruitment. We have been overwhelmed by the response so far, which really highlights how important interventions like REFUEL-MS are.

We are now in the process of setting up our next trial that aims to start in 2025, which will be a trial to test if the REFUEL-MS app reduces fatigue when compared with standard treatment options. We will be working alongside the UK MS Register to recruit people living with MS so keep an eye on their website, our social media or other community groups if you would like to hear more!