Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41832553›Full record

Trial reportBMC health services research2026

Long-term cross sectoral care and case management for people with severe multiple sclerosis and their caregivers - impact on dimensions of life.

Anne Müller, Veronika Dunkl, Wiebke Müller, Martin Hellmich, Peter Löcherbach, Raymond Voltz, Kim Dillen, Yasemin Goereci, Clemens Warnke, Heidrun Golla and 1 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Anne MüllerDepartment of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Anne.dorr@uk-koeln.de.
Veronika DunklDepartment of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Wiebke MüllerInstitute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology (IMSB), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Martin HellmichInstitute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology (IMSB), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Peter LöcherbachGerman Society of Care and Case Management E.V. (DGCC), Münster, Germany.
Raymond VoltzDepartment of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Kim DillenDepartment of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Yasemin GoereciDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Clemens WarnkeDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Heidrun GollaDepartment of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
COCOS-MS trial group

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMultiple sclerosis is associated with complex individual disease trajectories with a high symptom burden affecting physical, psychological and social life, accompanied by fractured biographies and increased suicide rates. In this complex situation coordinating and providing necessary health and social services and treatments by themselves is often perceived as unmanageable. Care and case management (CCM) aims to ensure optimal care in all dimensions of life. The aim of this sub-study of the COCOS-MS (Communication, coordination and security for people with severe Multiple Sclerosis) trial was to evaluate the CCM intervention at the individual and overall level.

methodsThe analysis of the long-term cross-sectoral CCM intervention included: descriptive statistical analysis of the individually defined goals and actions taken together with the CCM and the statistical evaluation of the evolution of unmet needs of people with severe MS (PwsMS) and caregivers considering physical health, mental health, self-sufficiency, social situation and participation utilizing the sign test (α < 0.05) and cross tables. The data were analyzed in accordance with the modified intention-to-treat principle.

resultsCompliant to protocol, a total of 40 PwsMS were randomized to the intervention group; 18 caregivers of these PwsMS also participated. In 80% the individually set goals were realized during the CCM intervention. They were mostly related to healthcare, organizational issues or general aspects like: receiving information). The participants benefited from the CCM in all assessed dimensions, which was especially reflected in a significant reduction of unmet needs in relation to: MS related physical health (p = 0.039), medical, nursing and therapeutic care (p = 0.008), and increased autonomy regarding the pursuit of hobbies and interests (p = 0.002). Across 30 sub-domains, on average 6.3 improvements and 1.6 deteriorations per sub-domains were recorded on PwsMSs’ side.

conclusionsThe CCM is a worthwhile approach to the comprehensive networking of health and social structures. It helps PwsMS to manage their disease and its associated problems more effectively and broadly. Thereby, they gain resources for their life outside their illness. Improved self-sufficiency and social participation lead to a consolidated identity. This could increase feelings of dignity and counteract life-denying thoughts.

trial registrationGerman Register for Clinical Studies (DRKS) (DRKS00022771, 11th January 2021).

Indexed as

CaregiversCase ManagementMultiple SclerosisQuality of LifeAdultFemaleHumansLong-Term CareMaleMiddle AgedAutonomyHealth careMental healthPhysical healthSelf-sufficiencySocial careSocial participation

Identifiers

PMID41832553
PMCPMC13064002

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.