title: Study protocol: to investigate effects of highly specialized rehabilitation for patients with multiple sclerosis. A randomized controlled trial of a personalized, multidisciplinary intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, chronic and progressive disease and rehabilitation services can provide important support to patients. Few MS rehabilitation programs have been shown to provide health improvements to patients in a cost-effective manner. The objective of this study is to assess the effects in terms of changes measured by a variety of standardized quality of life, mastery, coping, compliance and individual goal-related endpoints. This combination provides the basis for analyzing the complexity of MS and outcomes of a personalized rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with MS referred to hospital rehabilitation services will be randomized to either early admission (within two months) or usual admission (after an average waiting time of eight months). They will complete a battery of standardized health outcome instruments prior to randomization, and again six and twelve months after randomization, and a battery of goal-related outcome measures at admission and discharge, and again one, six and twelve months after randomization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study are expected to contribute to further development of MS rehabilitation services and to discussions about the design and content of such services. The results will also provide additional information to health authorities responsible for providing and financing rehabilitation services.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN05245917).
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Health Services Research and Technology Assessment, University of Southern Denmark, J, B, Winsløws Vej 9B, 1, 5000, Odense, Denmark. jas@cast.sdu.dk
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Brita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Løvendahl
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nørgaard
authors.forename: Jette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.forename: Peter Vestergaard
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boesen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D003071:Cognition; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006040:Goals; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010548:Personal Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012737:Sex Factors; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors