Annual Conference EMSP Events

EMSP Annual Conference 2025: Day 1 Highlights

22.05.2025

Event Overview

The conference brought together a diverse community united by a common goal: advancing MS prevention and treatment. The day was characterised by high engagement with a packed venue and active participation across all sessions. A collaborative atmosphere emerged through strong networking during coffee breaks where meaningful connections formed. The comprehensive content mixed scientific presentations, personal stories, and interactive activities, while the international scope provided global perspectives with participants from multiple countries.

Key Session Highlights

The Landscape of Prevention by Professor Eva Havrdova

Professor Havrdova provided a comprehensive overview spanning MS research from historical discovery to current prevention strategies. She emphasized the critical importance of early intervention, particularly initiating treatment before symptom onset to delay MS progression. The professor highlighted actionable prevention strategies including smoking cessation, vitamin D supplementation, and regular exercise regimens. Her presentation demonstrated how early intervention can significantly delay MS progression and established the foundation for prevention-focused approaches.

Ageing with MS and Related Disorders

This collaborative session addressed the evolving nature of MS throughout the lifespan with a strong emphasis on maintaining cognitive function as a primary goal. The speakers clarified important distinctions between MS and NMO in aging populations, helping attendees understand diagnostic complexities. Jan Stanek showcased inspiring work from St. Joseph’s Home in the Czech Republic, demonstrating innovative approaches to supporting individuals with advanced MS.

Inspiring Changes: Prevention and Innovation

Three powerful personal testimonies demonstrated the human impact of MS research and treatment advances. Jaroslav Wiener shared his remarkable recovery journey, highlighting the transformative power of sports and exercise following paralysis. Luigi Azzarone advocated strongly for rapid diagnosis and treatment protocols, emphasising the importance of swift medical intervention. Natalie Bursari called attention to critical research gaps affecting Black communities with MS, highlighting the need for more inclusive research approaches.

Research Presentations

International MS Symptoms Survey (IMSS)

Presenter: Tommaso Manacorda, Italian MS Society (AISM)

This groundbreaking study represents the largest symptom assessment in MS research history. The impressive scope included over 17,000 participants with MS across 22 countries, providing unprecedented comprehensive symptom mapping data. The study revealed that people with MS experience an average of 13.7 symptoms, with the majority of these symptoms inadequately managed by current healthcare systems.

The research identified three primary areas that most significantly impact quality of life: fatigue emerged as the most significant factor, followed by cognitive dysfunction and bladder dysfunction. Perhaps most concerning, the study revealed widespread undertreatment of non-visible symptoms, which often remain invisible to healthcare providers but significantly impact patients’ daily lives.

The practical impact of this research extends beyond academic knowledge. The EMSP developed country-specific advocacy toolkits based on the IMSS data to drive healthcare system improvements and ensure better symptom management across different healthcare contexts.

Understanding Comorbidities in MS

Lead: Stephanie Woschek, German MS Society (DMSG)

This interactive session covered critical aspects of holistic MS management. Woschek led discussions on lifestyle interventions including nutrition optimization, smoking cessation, and exercise protocols. The session addressed how comorbidity management affects MS progression, particularly examining the impact of heart disease and diabetes on overall health outcomes. Participants explored how existing comorbidities can significantly affect treatment efficacy and overall disease management strategies.

Biomarkers and the Future

This forward-looking presentation focused on diagnostic innovation and the future of MS detection. The session covered early detection tools including advanced MRI technologies and promising blood-based biomarkers that could revolutionize diagnostic timelines. Nele von Horstem, who lives with MS herself, provided valuable patient perspective by emphasizing the crucial importance of making complex medical information accessible and understandable for patients and their families.

Research Poster Presentations

Eight innovative research presentations showcased diverse aspects of MS care and research advancement. David Ellenberger from the German MS Registry presented fascinating findings on how sleep problems affect men and women with MS differently, revealing important gender-specific considerations for treatment approaches. Antonia Kaltsatou presented compelling research on how Greek traditional dance can help people with MS improve movement and enhance emotional wellbeing through culturally meaningful physical activity.

Joke Soetaert from MS-Liga Vlaanderen shared comprehensive work examining risk and protective factors in MS development and progression. Stephanie Woschek introduced MS-PAT, an innovative digital education platform designed specifically for patients to improve understanding and self-management capabilities. Luigi Azzarone provided personal insights into daily life management with MS, offering practical perspectives from lived experience.

Beatriz Martínez from Esclerosis Múltiple España revealed important findings about the hidden economic costs of living with MS, highlighting financial burdens often overlooked in traditional healthcare planning. Amanda Montagne from the MS Association of America discussed innovative approaches to involving patients more meaningfully in care networks and decision-making processes. Tommaso Manacorda from the Italian MS Society presented research focused on improving MS care pathways to ensure more efficient and effective patient journeys through healthcare systems.

Innovative Engagement Activities

Neuron Hunt Challenge

This creative gamification element successfully enhanced the conference experience through multiple dimensions. The activity encouraged physical movement as participants actively explored the venue while searching for hidden neurons, creating natural opportunities for networking as attendees sparked conversations while moving between sessions. The challenge made neurological concepts tangible and memorable, transforming abstract scientific knowledge into an interactive learning experience. The friendly competition built community spirit, with many attendees proudly displaying their stamp-filled cards and sharing their discoveries with fellow participants.

Storytelling Station

The storytelling initiative captured invaluable qualitative data that extends far beyond traditional conference metrics. Participants generously shared personal MS experiences and treatment journeys, providing rich narratives that illuminate the lived reality of managing this condition.

Report compiled by Kanika Kohli, Communications Coordinator, EMSP