How Eating Well with MS was developed
We have
been listening
to the voices of people with MS since 2017. They have told us that it can be hard to work out what dietary information is credible, and what advice to follow.
People
with MS want
to learn about the best way to eat well with MS and many people said ‘We need tailor-made nutrition education for people with MS!’
Our work with
the MS community
led us to co-design this online nutrition education program.
In this
tailor-made program
the content and activities are the ones that people with MS have told us they want to learn about.
How this works
This is a randomised controlled trial. That means that, if you enrol, you will be randomly put into one of two groups. Group 1 will take part in Eating Well with MS, where new modules will be opened each week for 6 weeks, and then an extra 'booster' module 3 months later. You will be able to access all the modules as often as you like over the trial period (just over 4 months).
Group 2 will get access to some general healthy eating resources, and then you will have access to Eating Well with MS in just over 12 months. We will keep your contact details and send you the details on how to log in and access the program.
1 Register
2 Randomisation
3 Receive email
4 Access materials
We will ask everyone to complete surveys at registration, after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after the study begins. More information can be found in the Participant Information and Consent Form.
Eligibility Criteria
We are studying Eating Well with MS among people living with MS. The program is available to people who:
- Are adults (aged 18 years or older)
- Living in Australia
- Can you provide evidence of your MS diagnosis (e.g., a letter from your neurologist, GP, MS nurse, or NDIS document, or any other document to confirm your eligibility).
- Do not require medical nutrition therapy (e.g., tailored nutrition treatment for a medical condition such as dysphagia, provided by a dietitian)
- Did not participate in the pilot study of Eating Well with MS in 2022
- Have internet access
If you are interested in participating, you can register below. After you register you will be asked a series of questions to confirm if you are eligible to take part.
Our Team
Research Team
Professor Lucinda Black
Registered Nutritionist
and MS researcher
Professor Andrea Begley
Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian
Dr Rebecca Russell
Registered Public Health Nutritionist
Dr Ellie Dunlop
Accredited Practising Dietitian,
Registered Nutritionist and MS researcher
Eduard Martinez Solsona
PhD student specialising in diet and MS
Experts featuring in the program
Michelle Evans
Person with MS
Cindy Miller
Person with MS
Amanda Davey
Person with MS
Dr Lisa Grech
Clinical Psychologist, MS researcher, and person with MS
Misty Reinkowsky
Accredited Practising Dietitian
(specialising in MS)
Professor Allan Kermode
Neurologist and Head of Demyelinating Diseases Research, Perron Institute and Murdoch University
Professor Robyn Lucas
Public Health Physician and MS researcher
Jodie Roberts
Accredited Practising Dietitian
(specialising in MS)
Gemma Toovey
Accredited Practising Dietitian
(specialising in MS)
Dr Priscila Machado
Research Fellow,
Nutrition Scientist
Contact Us
Eduard Martinez Solsona is the PhD student and project manager. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Eating Well with MS project, please contact him at eatwellms@deakin.edu.au
Acknowledgements
Deakin University acknowledges Curtin University for the development of the “Online nutrition education program for people with MS”, and the original funding contributed by MS Australia (#21-1-072).
We thank all the people with MS and the MS health professionals who have shared their experiences and expertise to help co-design this program.
This project has received approval from the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (reference number 2024/HE000590).
We thank the following organisations for the funding that has enabled us to develop this program. Without their support, our research and this program would not be possible.
Thank you to MSWA for supporting the MS Nutrition Research Program between 2016 and 2024,
including for the co-design of Eating Well with MS.
Thank you to MS Australia for supporting the pilot study of Eating Well with MS (Incubator Grant #21-1-072)
