Most health care providers (HCPs) are unfamiliar with the numerous applications in use or how to best utilize them to monitor disease progression or streamline office visits. The purpose of this paper is to assess the variability of these applications with regard to purpose, function, and user satisfaction.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong autoimmune disease affecting more than 2.5 million individuals globally and often causing progressive neurological symptoms. Several mobile applications have been developed for patients to track symptoms and neurologic function. 

A search was conducted on app stores using Apple and Android phones as well as a google search with key words: MS, multiple sclerosis and app to identify applications available for use. A medical search was conducted on pubmed and scopus to identify eligible studies that included the apps found. Information regarding apps available for perusal at international MS conferences were also surveyed. Each app was evaluated for similarities and differences.

Our inclusion criteria were English language apps that assessed neurologic function and symptom monitoring specific to MS.

Several apps were identified, including multiple sclerosis diagnosis and management, BeCare MS, Floodlight, Aby, MS Fatigue Fix, MSAA, MS Relapse Tool, MS Mosaic and MS Self. Each app contains common themes, such as assessing function status with either questions or games with different apps focusing on different end goals. All of the above apps addressed patient reported symptoms but only BeCare MS, MS Mosaic, and Floodlight assessed neurologic function.

More studies need to be conducted on the value and utility of using these applications. Physicians should be aware of what is available, as apps have the potential to incorporate data from remote monitoring to assist in treatment planning. More clinical outcome studies, assessments of ease of use and patient satisfaction studies will help identify apps that are more relevant.