Health and Community Services
February 8, 2011

Update Provided on Multiple Sclerosis Observational Study  

Twenty-nine patients have been or are being enrolled in the multiple sclerosis observational study announced in the fall of 2010 by the Department of Health and Community Services. The goal for the number of participants has increased from 30 to 40 and as a result, the budget for the study has increased by a further $80,000, and organizers of the study are in the process of recruiting more participants.

“Our government is committed to this study and it is encouraging to see that many people who are affected by multiple sclerosis are also dedicated to this undertaking,” says the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “Approximately 40 patients are targeted to participate in the observational study and we are still encouraging any individuals who would like to participate in the study to come forward.”

In September 2010, the Provincial Government committed to fund $320,000 (or more if needed) for the observational study in this province. The purpose of the study is to help determine the impact, if any, that the experimental procedure developed by Dr. Paolo Zamboni, commonly referred to as the “liberation procedure”, has on the mental and physical status of patients who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Study participants will include those who have had the procedure and some participants who have not. A team of local neurologists who specialize in multiple sclerosis care and research are conducting the study and examining the participants. Each participant who undergoes the treatment will have baseline and follow-up MRIs and various physical and cognitive tests completed. Doppler ultrasound examinations will not be part of the research study.   

Patients interested in participating in the observational study should contact Kathy Murphy Peddle at 709-777-6585 or e-mail knmurphy@mun.ca.

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2011 02 08                                                       10:20 a.m.