On this page
Overcoming MS Logo

We’re a charity helping people live well with MS. Your donation means we can reach more people!

Young woman sits on laptop completing research study

Research studies

Overcoming MS Logo

We’re a charity helping people live well with MS. Your donation means we can reach more people!

Research is vital in helping us better understand and improve the lives of people living with MS. By taking part in research, our community plays an essential role in shaping future treatments, services and support.

On this page, we share opportunities for you to get involved in research studies that aim to make a meaningful difference for people affected by MS. We are committed to only promoting research that puts people with MS at its heart. Every study featured here has gone through our internal review process to ensure it has appropriate ethical approval, is led by a reputable organisation, and aligns with our values and commitment to the MS community.

While we are proud to support and promote these opportunities, we are not directly involved in running the studies themselves. Each project is managed by its own research team, so if you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the researchers directly using the details provided within each listing.

If you are a researcher and would like to promote your study on this page, please email [email protected]

Use of CBD products by individuals with MS

The popularity of CBD and its claimed health benefits has led to numerous CBD products being available to buy over the counter. This has led to an increase in interest and curiosity about how it could help different patient groups. Whilst it has been suggested anecdotally (by both people with MS and clinicians) that CBD oil may have positive effects for individuals with MS, no clinical trials to date have been conducted to support this. The only trials that have been carried out relate to Sativex. Sativex is an oromucosal (absorbed into the lining of your mouth) spray, containing THC. It is licensed to relieve spasticity for people with MS. Therefore, the focus of this research is on over the counter CBD products (which only contain minute amounts of THC), in order to provide much needed information regarding the perceived physical, emotional and cognitive benefits that CBD specifically has for people with MS. Taking part will involve completing an online survey.

You are eligible to take part in this study if you:

  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Can read and understand written English
  • Live in the United Kingdom
  • Have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Have experience of using legal (containing less than 1mg THC/THCV/CBN) over the counter CBD products, either currently or in the past.

If you’d like to take part in this study, you can do so by following this link: Https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ZCIJP3/ 

If you have any questions, please contact Pippa Massingberd-Mundy, trainee Clinical Psychologist and study lead: [email protected]. This study is recruiting until 30th September 2026.

Exploring Self-Management Lifestyle Interventions in People Living with Multiple Sclerosis in Rural and Regional Australia

Have you been diagnosed with MS? Do you live in rural or regional Australia? Are you aged 18 years or more?

If so, you are invited to take part in a research study exploring experiences with self-management strategies and modifiable lifestyle factors that may impact health, wellbeing, and quality of life

This study is being led by Ali Kitching, a Professional Doctorate research student at La Trobe University, Australia.

What’s involved?

  • A short 5 minute eligibility screening questionnaire
  • Participation in an interview lasting up to 60 minutes with an additional opportunity to participate in co-design workshops if interested. Co-design workshop is a hands-on session where people who are affected by an issue (in this case MS) work together with researchers to come up with ideas and solutions. Everyone’s experience is valued, and participants share stories, discuss what works and what doesn’t, and help shape better services or programs together.
  • Interviews and workshops will be conducted by Zoom or Microsoft Teams (whichever is the participant’s preferred platform) – no need to travel.

Why is this important?

Your experience may help improve support, services, and health outcomes for people living with MS in rural and regional areas across Australia.

For more information:

If you would like more information or are interested in being part of the research study, please contact Ali at [email protected] by 30th June 2026.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Be Part of Research service helps people in the UK find and take part in health and care research studies.
 
Research opportunities can sometimes feel hard to find or understand. Be Part of Research makes it easier to explore studies that may be relevant to you, learn what taking part involves, and decide whether it feels right for you. By joining a study, you can help shape the future of MS treatment, care and support. The service also supports researchers by helping them recruit participants to studies, helping to speed up progress in MS research and beyond.
 
Please note that Be Part of Research is only available to people living in the UK. If you live outside the UK and know of a similar service in your country, we’d love to hear from you so we can consider adding it to this page.
 
Click ‘Find studies now’ in the image below to sign up and explore MS research studies.

 

Further Reading

New here?