Abstract:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. Most often diagnosed in young adults, MS runs a chronic, unpredictable course, often leading to severe disability: 50% of MS patients are unable to perform household and employment responsibilities 10 years after disease onset, and 50% are nonambulatory 25 years after disease onset. While it is not clear what factors influence the prognosis of MS, exposure to stress has long been suspected as a factor that can aggravate its progression. In this paper, we discuss the opportunities for wearable sensors in the management of stress in multiple sclerosis patients.