Medication understanding in MS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Home-based assessment of medication understanding and use in people with multiple sclerosis
IRAS ID
368655
Contact name
Laura Edwards
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often take many medicines and supplements, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and vitamins. Managing these at home can be complex, and it is not always clear how medicines are taken, understood, or whether any safety risks exist.
This study aims to explore how people with MS manage their medicines at home. We will carry out structured home-based medication reviews, collecting information about which medicines are taken, how and when they are used, and any difficulties experienced. We will also ask a few questions about memory, concentration, and organisation, to understand how these might affect medication use.
Visits will be conducted by trained healthcare students working in pairs, under supervision of the research team. Students will look at medicine storage and packaging, check expiry dates, and record any potential safety concerns. Participants can choose to have a carer or family member present for support during the visit, but these individuals will not be research participants. For participants who cannot consent for themselves, a personal consultee may be asked to give an opinion on whether the participant would want to take part.
Information collected during the visit will be compared with medical records to identify potential medication risks, such as drug interactions, high medicine burden, or duplication. Any safety concerns will be communicated to the participant’s GP or treating clinician. Field observations (written notes) will also be recorded to understand the home context of medication use.
The findings will help us understand how people with MS manage medicines, where challenges occur, and what could improve support and safety in the future. The study will also provide practical experience for healthcare students in conducting structured medication reviews and collecting research data.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0177
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion