Multiple Sclerosis Research

Two healthcare professionals examine the arm of an older man sitting in a chair in a medical office. The man wears a red sweater and a winter hat.

Elevating expectations and quality of life

Multiple Sclerosis Research at Shepherd Center is dedicated to improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS). With support from the National MS Society, the International Progressive MS Alliance, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and the generosity of the Carlos family, our team conducts a wide range of clinical trials, translational rehabilitation studies that pioneer treatments to restore function and enhance well-being for people living with MS while staying grounded in rigorous science and compassionate care.

Our work also aims to expand the reach and effectiveness of rehabilitation by integrating digital health technologies with artificial intelligence to deliver care that is more accessible, individualized, and responsive to the needs of people living with MS.

Each year, our studies engage hundreds of people with MS and foster collaboration among leaders in healthcare, industry, and academia. Together, we generate sound scientific evidence and innovative strategies that are transforming MS care and advancing benefits for the broader global community.

A nurse wearing gloves administers an IV to an older woman sitting in a chair, who is smiling and wearing glasses and a blue Alaska T-shirt. The woman rests her arm on a pillow.
A person holds a tablet displaying a foot pressure analysis next to another person’s foot, which is wearing a white sneaker and an orthopedic brace. The screen shows highlighted pressure points on a foot diagram.
People sitting in a room are stretching with one arm raised. Some are in chairs, while a woman on the left assists another person. The setting appears to be a health or physical therapy space with a painting on the wall.
A nurse administers an IV as part of a MS clinical trial (left); Sensoria Health’s smart socks used to provide continuous feedback on the walking function in people with MS (top right); Yoga sessions integrated into the MS Wellness and Rehabilitation Program support ongoing research on approaches to neurorehabilitation for people with MS (bottom right).

Why Shepherd leads in MS research

Founded in 2012, the MS Research Program is anchored in the Eula C. and Andrew C. Carlos MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program. Our program blends technological innovation with personalized, holistic approaches to improving mobility, cognition, and overall well-being. As the largest MS clinic in the Southeast, we continue to be a leader in MS research through our multidimensional approach, which includes:

Guided by the lived experiences of people with MS, we engage them at every stage of the research process to identify needs, shape priorities, and break down barriers to accessing quality care. By placing the voices of people with MS at the center of our approach, we ensure that every scientific advancement is meaningful, accessible, and responsive to the realities of life with MS.

To address the real-world challenges that matter most to people living with MS, our program must embrace a wide range of research questions. From fundamental physiology and rehabilitation science to employment, technology innovation, and clinical trials, we pursue studies that touch every aspect of life with MS. This diverse research portfolio is only made possible by our multidisciplinary, international network of collaborators whose expertise spans physiology, neurology, rehabilitation, exercise science, biomedical engineering, implementation science, data science, and beyond.

Guided by clinicians with extensive expertise in neurorehabilitation, our studies are designed to generate solutions that are practical, adaptable, and ready for translation into everyday practice. In addition to ongoing collaboration with our MS clinical staff, many of our researchers are also clinician-scientists who bring firsthand experience in patient care to the research process. This approach ensures that the questions we ask and the strategies we test are directly shaped by the realities of clinical practice, further strengthening the connection between discovery and impact.

Our expert team manages every aspect of clinical research, from facilitation and coordination to full-scale trial execution. With extensive recruitment capacity, experienced research coordinators, and state-of-the-art facilities that include advanced measurement technologies and wet lab infrastructure, we have the resources to support even the most complex protocols.

As a participant in research, I feel like I have a chance to really be on the forefront of helping people with MS move forward. As an MS patient myself, I know not every patient can assist, since I can, I feel this is great opportunity to help those who can’t help themselves. The research team is top notch and always reaching for the next great study!

Tom Schratwieser, Georgia Multiple Sclerosis Research Participant

Our current research

The MS Research Program is actively investigating a broad range of areas that reflect the real-world challenges faced by people living with MS. Our work spans:

We design and test targeted therapies to improve movement, strength, balance, and cognition, while also addressing pressing challenges such as chronic fatigue and therapy adherence. By tackling the physical, cognitive, and environmental factors that shape daily life, our interventions empower people with MS to maintain independence, stay engaged in their communities, and adapt successfully to changes over time.

We leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and wearable sensors to extend rehabilitation beyond the clinic. By capturing real-world data on mobility, fatigue, and other symptoms, these tools allow us to detect changes earlier, deliver more personalized care, and expand access for people living with MS.

Beyond the clinic, we examine how therapies translate into meaningful outcomes, such as returning to work, strengthening relationships, and improving emotional well-being. These measures allow us to understand not just how people recover, but how they thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Featured studies

A person in a blue shirt stands smiling next to exercise equipment in a fitness room at the renowned Shepherd Center, known for its awards and recognition. The room includes various gym machines, colorful exercise balls, and resistance bands mounted on the wall.

Meet the MS research team

What happens when an exercise physiologist working in the clinic develops a knack for asking scientific questions? For Dr. Brad Willingham, it sparked a research career dedicated uncovering new ways to advance rehabilitation for people with MS. Now fully focused on research, he is working to transform cutting-edge technology into practical solutions that improve the lives of patients.

We take a rigorous approach to research that ensures advances in MS care are grounded in strong scientific evidence. But the real measure of our work is how it impacts the lives of people with MS and this impact can only be measured when discoveries move from the lab into the clinic. At Shepherd Center, we have the opportunity to work in a truly translational research environment where research and clinical care are fully integrated, which allows us to see research being applied and making a difference in near real-time

Brad Willingham, Ph.D. Director of Multiple Sclerosis Research

Sharing knowledge and shaping the future of MS care

Research that makes a difference

Our research team continues to advance knowledge in multiple sclerosis care through innovative studies. These publications explore emerging technologies for accessibility, physiological targets to improve mobility, strategies for fall prediction, and the role of interoceptive awareness in fatigue management.

Dialogue with the MS community

We believe research should reach beyond academic journals. That is why we are committed to sharing findings widely with patients, healthcare providers, caregivers, and payers to ensure knowledge leads to better care, improved access to services, and stronger support systems across communities. Below is a selection of webinars and podcasts created to share insights with people living with MS, clinicians, and researchers alike.

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