Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis: RIMS Network Is Key to WHO Rehabilitation 2030
The publication “Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RiMS) Network Is Key to the World Health Organization’s Rehabilitation 2030: A Call for Action for People With Multiple Sclerosis”, published in the International Journal of MS Care (IJMSC) in October 2025, outlines the role of the RiMS network in aligning MS rehabilitation efforts with global priorities set by the World Health Organization (WHO). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
This advocacy work positions rehabilitation as a fundamental component of comprehensive MS care — across lifespan, across settings, and across geographies. It highlights three key challenge areas: delivering rehabilitation, accessing rehabilitation, and evaluating rehabilitation interventions. The article calls for rehabilitation to be embedded into universal health coverage and the MS care continuum. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Key Recommendations
- Embed rehabilitation early and continuously in MS care pathways, consistent with WHO’s Rehabilitation 2030 agenda.
- Ensure equitable access to rehabilitation services by addressing policy, funding and workforce gaps across countries.
- Strengthen evidence and evaluation frameworks for rehabilitation in MS, including novel delivery models (e-health, home-based, community).
RiMS Role & Participation
As an international network dedicated to MS rehabilitation, RiMS contributes through research integration, education programmes, policy dialogues and knowledge-exchange platforms that support rehabilitation professionals and people with MS. The network’s vision aligns with WHO’s call for action and positions rehabilitation at the centre of MS care systems worldwide.
Read the Full Publication
Moumdjian L, Brichetto G, Gysemberg G, et al. Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RiMS) Network Is Key to the World Health Organization’s Rehabilitation 2030: A Call for Action for People With Multiple Sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care. October 2025;27:290-294. https://www.ijmsc.org/view/rehabilitation-in-multiple-sclerosis-2030 .
European Brain Council – RETHINKING MS Project
Jenny Freeman represents RiMS (Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis) in the RETHINKING MS project led by the European Brain Council (EBC). This advocacy initiative develops a pan-European policy narrative on MS and integrated care, aiming to improve access to timely diagnosis, coordinated rehabilitation, and long-term social support for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
The project produced the policy report “Rethinking MS in Europe: Prioritising integrated services for people with multiple sclerosis” (2019), together with national briefs for Denmark, Italy, Romania and Spain, a detailed methodology report and a practical policy-assessment tool. Follow-up work during the COVID-19 pandemic explored how disruptions in care highlighted the need to redesign MS services around brain health, rehabilitation and resilience.
These resources support national and European stakeholders in developing or updating MS strategies, benchmarking services, and planning “MS brain health” or integrated care plans. RiMS contributes by bringing the rehabilitation perspective into the policy discussion and by promoting the use of the toolkit within the rehabilitation community.
Key Objectives of RETHINKING MS
- Build a coherent policy narrative on MS across Europe, with integrated recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and social care.
- Map gaps and good practice through comparative data and country profiles, highlighting where access to multidisciplinary rehabilitation and long-term support can be improved.
- Provide practical tools – including a methodology framework and policy-assessment tool – to guide national “rethinking MS” strategies and advocacy actions.
For more information, please visit the project page: https://www.braincouncil.eu/projects/rethinkingms/ . You can download the key RETHINKING MS documents below:
| Title | Description | File |
|---|---|---|
| Rethinking MS in Europe – Main Policy Report | Core report outlining the case for prioritising integrated services for people with Multiple Sclerosis across Europe, with policy recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and social care. | Download |
| MS in Times of COVID-19 – Paper | Analysis of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to MS care and rehabilitation in Europe, reinforcing the need for resilient, integrated MS service models. | Download |
| Living with MS During COVID-19 – Web Article | Online summary highlighting key messages from the COVID-19 workstream and the case for rethinking MS care in the EU in light of pandemic experiences. | View |
| Rethinking MS – Denmark Country Report | National brief describing the MS landscape in Denmark, including service organisation, gaps in integrated care and country-specific policy recommendations. | Download |
| Rethinking MS – Italy Country Report | Country profile for Italy, summarising epidemiology, organisation of MS care, access to rehabilitation and priority actions for policymakers. | Download |
| Rethinking MS – Romania Country Report | National report for Romania, detailing current MS services, unmet needs in integrated care and proposed reforms to improve outcomes for people with MS. | Download |
| Rethinking MS – Spain Country Report | Country brief for Spain, reviewing MS prevalence, organisation of care, access to rehabilitation and policy opportunities to strengthen integrated MS services. | Download |
| Rethinking MS – Methodology Report | Detailed description of the methods used to develop the RETHINKING MS policy framework, including literature review, stakeholder engagement and country-level analysis. | Download |
| Rethinking MS – Policy Assessment Tool | Practical tool to help national and regional stakeholders review existing MS policies and services, identify gaps, and plan advocacy actions aligned with the RETHINKING MS recommendations. | Download |