What are the best apps for managing multiple sclerosis?
Claudia.Cahalane | 11 May 2023
An estimated 150,000 people in the UK live with multiple sclerosis (MS)*.
There are now 1 in 400 people living in MS and 135 people each week / 7100 people a year diagnosed on average within the United Kingdom.
The condition affects the nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including balance and coordination problems, eyesight and hearing issues, fatigue, altered sensations and cognitive issues. Those with the condition can also have long periods of remission with few symptoms.
MS charities, including the MS Trust and the MS Society, believe self-management of MS can benefit people living with the condition.
There is a variety of apps which can help with self-management. Apps are available for:
- Self-management of MS, including diaries, forums and health logs
- Best apps for MS-related fatigue
- Best apps to boost cognition
- Best apps for students living with MS
From tracking your medications to meeting others to find support, game apps to boost cognition, mindfulness options to increase calmness and fitness apps which could help you maintain health and do some suitable exercise on your good days.
All apps are available for both Android and Apple unless otherwise stated. And, all apps are free unless otherwise stated, with occasional subscription options for more features.
Five best apps for self-management of multiple sclerosis (MS)
1. My MS Buddy
Created by consumer health website Healthline, this app offers one-on-one chats, group discussions for advice, support and the opportunity to find out the latest news and research around MS.
Each weekday the app creators lead a live discussion on subjects including community, wellness, treatments, daily living, inspiration and MS and career. You can be matched with members based on your treatment and interests and do instant messaging.
Download MS Buddy/Bezzy MS for Android
Download MS Buddy/Bezzy MS for iOs
2. My MS Team
This is the app for My MSTeam, a social network and support group for people living with MS. It offers emotional support from others and insights about treatments and therapies. The company behind it is based in the US, but there are people registered from various UK locations who are looking to meet up.
Find out more about online forums for people living with MS.
You can post and follow photos and updates, share your daily ups and downs, give and receive hugs, search the Q&A section for help and also find local people to meet.
Download MS Team for Android
Download MS Team for iOs
3. MS Focus Radio
US-based MS Focus (The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation) is a nonprofit organisation that prioritises helping people with MS, and their families maintain quality of life. MS Focus has an interest in wellbeing.
The MS Focus radio app is the online radio its hosts and includes interesting and useful content available, which is accessible 24 hours a day. There’s a good variety of programmes, such as how to use breathwork and yoga to help with brain fog, practising emotional self-care, and how to get the most out of patient-centred care.
Download MS Focus Radio for iOs
4. Health Log
This Android App helps you track health and different symptoms and conditions of MS. With each entry, you can record the severity of the pain, location, potential triggers, treatments and any relief provided. You can then view statistics over time and use to show to health professionals if needed.
Download Health Log for Android
Best Apps for MS-related fatigue
Fatigue, experienced as overwhelming tiredness, is a common symptom of MS. Some people find that it is the symptom that affects them most, but there are ways to manage it and minimise its effects on your life.
We’ve listed a couple of apps here which might help.
MS Energise
Released two years ago, MS Energise was created by researchers at the Universities of Auckland in New Zealand and Bournemouth in the UK.
The app supports the management of MS fatigue using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach. CBT approaches for MS fatigue have been developed, trialled in controlled studies, and found effective in MS fatigue by those who created the app. Currently only available on Apple devices.
We'd give it kudos for minimal scrolling needed to be easier for users with physical health issues or disabilities.
Download MS Energise for iOS
Mental Fatigue app
A simple app for charting fatigue levels and changes to energy over time. With the app, you can generate charts and lists to provide an overview of your fatigue. Created by independent developer Jan-Olof Karlsson.
Download Mental Fatigue app for iOS
Download Mental Fatigue app for Android
Best Apps to boost cognition if you have MS
MS can affect cognitive function. If you’re looking to boost your cognitive skills, these apps with various games, memory and brain training options might help.
There are apps available for iOS, and Android that can help with memory training, including spatial training and memory.
NeuroNation
This app offers memory training and tests to improve focus. It was awarded AOK Leonardo Health Prize for digital prevention and has more than 250,000 mainly five-star reviews on the App and Play stores (though some reviews complained the app isn’t suitable for those who are colour blind).
NeuroNation fans describe the app as fun.
It performs an analysis of your strengths and potentials and creates a personal training plan.
There are 27 exercises on 250 levels.
It is founded by the NeuroNation team comprising IT experts in collaboration with the division of experimental psychology and neuropsychology at the Free University in Berlin.
Download NeuroNation for iOS
Download NeuroNation for Android
Elevate Brain Training Games
The app offers personalised brain training programmes designed to improve attention, speaking skills, processing speed, memory and math skills.
One reviewer wrote: “It’s only been three days, but the words section has made a huge impact on my life. I suffer from brain fog and find it difficult to talk, but this game has brought me quite a bit of relief.”
Download Elevate for iOS
Download Elevate for Android
Train your brain
This Android-only app has had more than one million downloads and achieves 5-star reviews from some previous users.
The app is designed to focus on memory and spatial thinking and improve concentration. While there are only seven games available, those on offer present a variety of training.
It is created by Developer Grove FX.
Download Train Your Brain for Android
Best apps for students and young people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
MS sadly can affect young people of University age.
While there are limited apps explicitly aimed at young people with MS, there are lots of apps which could help this age group with peer support features and fun challenges.
Here are a few of our suggestions.
What’s Up
What’s up uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods to help people cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and more. There is a Get Grounded page, which contains over 100 different questions to pinpoint what you’re feeling, and a Thinking Patterns page, which helps with reducing negative thoughts. Developed by Australian-based company Jackson Tempra.
Download What'sUp for iOS
Download What'sUp for Android
Super Better
Super Better is a top-rated app with more than 5,000 five star reviews on the Play Store. It’s fun and creative with the ability to create and customise your quests, challenges, and power-ups (such as hug yourself, or text someone to say thank you for something - which can make people feel better).
It’s designed for those with anxiety and depression, chronic pain and other conditions as an aid to build resilience and achieve goals. The focus is on cultivating your inner superhero.
The app was developed by Jane McGonigal author of the book Super Better.
Download Super Better for IOS
Download Super Better for Android
notOK
notOK is a free app developed by a struggling teenager (and her teen brother) for teenagers. The app features a large, red button that can be activated to let close friends, family and their support network know help is needed.
Users can add up to five trusted contacts as part of their support group, so when they hit the digital panic button, a message, along with their current GPS location is sent to their contacts.
The message reads: “Hey, I’m not OK! Please call, text, or come find me.”
Download notOK for Android
Mind Shift
MindShift CBT app developed by the organisation Anxiety Canada has specific programmes for young people. The app uses strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help users feel better and less overwhelmed. On offer are thought-journals, coping cards, chill zone and confidence-building exercises. This app appears to be recommended by quite a few therapists, judging by the reviews.
Download Mind Shift for iOS
Download Mind Shift for Android
AV1 Robot app
The AV1 app robot is designed for young people with long term health conditions who sometimes struggle to get to school or college.
The small white robot can be present in the classroom and act as the eyes and ears of the student. The student can view what the robot sees through its eyes using their device at home.
They can control the robot's movements through their phone or tablet, and speak to classmates through the microphone on their device. This app/ device is typically paid for by schools.
It is developed by the company No Isolation.
Download AV1 for iOS
Download AV1 for Android
* MS Trust, accessed July 2024.
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