What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting balance, strength and sensation. Over half experience falls annually.

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What Happens in the Body in Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord.

In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective layer surrounding nerve fibers. When myelin is damaged, communication between the brain and the rest of the body becomes disrupted (1).

MS is a lifelong condition and is commonly classified into different forms, with relapsing-remitting MS being the most common early in the disease course (1). Over time, the disease may become more progressive.

How Common Is Multiple Sclerosis?

In Sweden, approximately 20,000 people live with MS and around 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year (2). Globally, more than 2.8 million people are estimated to live with the disease (3).

MS most often begins between ages 20 and 40 and is more common in women than in men (1).

Common Symptoms of MS

Symptoms vary depending on which parts of the central nervous system are affected (1).

Common symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness

• Balance difficulties

• Numbness and tingling

• Visual disturbances

• Spasticity (muscle stiffness)

• Severe fatigue

Because MS affects both movement and sensation, it often has a significant impact on walking ability and physical stability.

MS and the Risk of Falls

Falls are one of the most common and serious issues in people with MS.

Studies show that more than 50% of people with MS fall at least once per year (4). Many report recurrent falls, indicating a substantially higher fall risk compared with age-matched individuals without neurological disease (4).

Why Does MS Increase Fall Risk?

Fall risk in MS is multifactorial and linked to several neurological symptoms (4):

Balance impairment
Damage to neural pathways in the brain and spinal cord can lead to poor coordination and unstable gait.

Muscle weakness and spasticity
Weakness in the legs and increased muscle stiffness make it harder to control steps and properly lift the feet.

Sensory loss
Reduced sensation in the feet limits the brain’s ability to detect surface changes, negatively affecting balance.

Fatigue
MS-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms and can significantly impair reaction time and muscle control (1).

Consequences of Falls in MS

Falls may result in fractures, soft tissue injuries and reduced physical activity (4).

Fear of falling can further decrease mobility and physical function, potentially increasing fall risk even more (4).

Preventive Strategies

Fall prevention should be an integrated part of MS care (4). Interventions may include:

• Individualized physiotherapy

• Balance and strength training

• Assistive device assessment

• Medication review

• Home environment modifications

Early interventions are important to reduce injuries and maintain independence over time.

Safety alarm with automatic fall alarm can increase safety for people with an increased risk of falling

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people who have an increased risk of falling. The personal alarm can automatically trigger the alarm in the event of a fall and then call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app.