Minna Oikola's experience from the pilot

A physiotherapist participating in the piloting of Virtual assistant developed to support persons with MS with fatigue-related questions highlighted the value of the virtual assistant, particularly for people who have recently received an MS diagnosis. The virtual assistant provides reliable, evidence-based information about MS-related fatigue and can help both patients and professionals better understand and discuss fatigue symptoms.

Patients mainly used the virtual assistant independently between therapy sessions, although it was occasionally incorporated into consultations to support discussions about how MS-related fatigue differs from everyday tiredness. According to user feedback, those newly diagnosed with MS found the virtual assistant especially helpful as an accessible and trustworthy source of information. More experienced patients, however, felt that it offered fewer new insights.

The pilot also identified opportunities for further development, including the addition of visual materials and direct links to existing resources. While the current version focuses specifically on MS-related fatigue, expanding the virtual assistant into a broader MS information resource could increase its value for both healthcare professionals and people living with MS.

“The virtual assistant is a valuable concept, especially for people who have recently received an MS diagnosis. It provides a low-threshold way to access reliable information and supports conversations about fatigue with healthcare professionals.”

Minna Oikola, Physiotherapist, Neuropiste Oy / Neuroliitto

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