MSAFE - Falls Risk App for Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis - Usability and Co-Design Findings

Sep 29, 2026

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, with the highest prevalence in adults aged 55 and older. Because MS symptoms fluctuate daily to weekly, people with MS face elevated falls risk and experience difficulty managing that risk. The study describes MSafe, a mobile health app co-designed with MS experts and evaluated by older adults using semi-structured, video-recorded usability interviews, yielding themes around ease of use, actionable feedback, and adaptations for bilateral assisted devices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

MS risk background and design goals

MSafe assessment framework

Usability study and emerging themes

Implications for future iterations

74 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.244 MSAFE: FALLS RISK APP FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Katherine Hsieh1, Deborah Backus2, and Jon Sanford1, 1. Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 2. Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, disease of the central nervous system with the highest prevalence in adults aged 55 years and older. MS is a dynamic condition with symptoms fluctuating daily to weekly, placing people with MS at a high risk of falls. Symptom variability makes it challenging for older adults with MS to manage their fall risk. Our research team developed MSafe, a mobile health application designed to help older adults with MS manage their fall risk. In this co-design process, we interviewed 6 MS experts to identify important factors and components to include in the app. Experts identified key risk factors to incorporate. We then collaborated with an app development team to design MSafe, which evaluates multifactorial fall risk through assessment of: 1) patient reported outcomes (e.g., demographics, sensory function, fatigue), 2) environmental hazards, 3) physical function, and 4) cognition. MSafe displays individualized results compared to clinical thresholds. To assess usability, 10 older adults with MS independently completed MSafe, followed by semi-structured interviews that were video recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Three themes emerged: 1) ease of use, 2) fall risk feedback, and 3) bilateral adaptations. Participants reported that MSafe was intuitive and easy to follow. Following the assessment, participants expressed interest in conducting repeated assessments to track changes overtime. Last, those using bilateral assisted devices requested a phone holder for dynamic tasks. These findings suggest potential for independent, fall risk assessments with mobile technology and inform next iteration of MSafe prior to home evaluation.

FAQs

Why is falls risk management difficult for people with multiple sclerosis?

MS is a dynamic condition where symptoms fluctuate daily to weekly, making it challenging to monitor and manage fall risk consistently.

What factors does MSafe evaluate to assess multifactorial fall risk?

MSafe assesses patient-reported outcomes, environmental hazards, physical function, and cognition, then presents individualized results against clinical thresholds.

What usability themes emerged from interviews with older adults with MS?

Three themes emerged: ease of use, fall risk feedback, and bilateral adaptations, including a request for a phone holder for dynamic tasks.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Jiven