Multiple Sclerosis Task Force
MISSION
The mission of the Neurodegenerative Diseases Networking Group Multiple Sclerosis Task Force is to advance practice, education and research related to rehabilitation of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) by facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration between rehabilitation professionals and other MS stakeholders from various specialties and backgrounds to promote translational research, clinical practice, and education aimed at improving the quality of life of people diagnosed with MS.
MAIN GOAL
The task force will foster networking and collaborations among ACRM members and non-members interested in the best care of persons with MS with the goal of transforming and fostering a vibrant and progressive agenda for research, education, and clinical practice in the field of MS.
Individuals interested in joining the Multiple Sclerosis Task Force should contact the task force chair, Ekaterina Dobryakova.
CO-CHAIRS

Silvana L. Costa, PhD
CO-CHAIR
Research Scientist, Neuropsychology of Eye Movements Lab (NEMoLab)
Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Center
Kessler Foundation

Sarah J. Donkers, PT, PhD
CO-CHAIR
Assistant Professor
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
PAST CHAIR
- Ekaterina Dobryakova, PhD
PAST & FOUNDING CHAIR
Kessler Foundation
MS TASK FORCE NEWSLETTER
The Multiple Sclerosis Task Force newsletter highlights researchers in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS), resources relevant for the MS community, and a blog post written by an individual with MS. Please contact the task force chair, Ekaterina Dobryakova, PhD, to submit content suggestions or recommend a colleague you would like us to interview.
POTENTIAL OUTPUTS
- Develop timely and current educational materials such as a newsletter, webpages, educational, and scientific presentations
- Identify key leaders in the arena of MS research and clinical practice to participate in ACRM activities
- Foster key collaborations among ACRM members and non-members for new collaborations, projects, and products to serve people with MS
Task force members will participate in quarterly meetings during which members will decide on potential projects and individual contributions to the digest/newsletter that is published electronically twice a year through ACRM.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Multiple Sclerosis Task Force members published a paper entitled: Tired of not knowing what that fatigue score means? Normative data of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. The purpose of this study is to develop normative data for the MFIS in a large community sample, stratified by age, gender, and education and to compare the derived new cutoffs to an existing cutoff. If you are interested in joining the Multiple Sclerosis Task Force, please email Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova.
INFORMATION & EDUCATION PAGES (IEPs) PUBLISHED
The Multiple Sclerosis Task Force has published the following Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Information & Education Pages (IEPs):
- Catherine Siengsukon, Ali Yavuz Karahan, Lauren Strober. Practical Sleep Information for People With Multiple Sclerosis, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 101, Issue 7, 2020, Pages 1271-1274, ISSN 0003-9993, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2020.03.009.
- Costa, S.,Pandey, K., Hrdina, J., Rondon, M., Devos, H. (2020). Vision problems in multiple sclerosis. (2020). Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In press.
IEPs in Progress
- Cognition and activities of daily living
- Exercise in people with MS that use wheelchairs