Recently, the DMSG Federal Association has been receiving an increasing number of inquiries from MS patients regarding the possibility of reimbursement for the Exopulse Mollii Suit by statutory health insurance companies, as well as by foundations and crowdfunding (financing by a group of internet users). Consequently, the DMSG Federal Association felt compelled to issue a statement. It has recently been made available on the website of the DMSG and the KKNMS e.V. I would strongly recommend all interested parties to read the statement prepared by the AG Rehabilitation of the Medical Advisory Board of the DMSG (DMSG Federal Association statement on the effectiveness of the Mollii Suit).
The Exopulse Mollii Suit is a suit with over 50 electrodes sewn into the fabric. These enable so-called transcutaneous electrical stimulation in a variety of different areas of the body – i.e., low-energy electrical impulses can be delivered to different muscle groups via a control device. Where exactly the impulses are delivered – in other words, what the programming of the control device looks like – is to be determined based on the user’s assessment by appropriately trained medical staff. The cost of this gadget is 8,500.00 €. And there seem to be quite high fees for testing this aggressively marketed product.
Aggressive advertising to convince the desperate – not like this…
When using the device, the manufacturer promises a relaxation of spastic muscles and an expansion of the range of motion – in addition, blood circulation is supposed to be improved and chronic pain reduced. Accordingly, a wide range of indications are given, ranging from chronic pain to stroke to multiple sclerosis. However, these recommendations are based more on wishful thinking than on clinical studies. In particular, there are currently no published data at all on the use in multiple sclerosis – this is also very detailed in the aforementioned statement.
Accordingly, the experts in their statement conclude that the use of the Exopulse Mollii Suit cannot currently be generally recommended: “Further and above all controlled, double-blind studies in MS patients are necessary to assess the effectiveness of the aid.”
As usual, the statement from the official side is quite balanced and factual. Therefore, I would like to take the liberty here to put it a bit more clearly. The way in which Ottobock, the manufacturer of the Mollii Suit, promotes its product, is not acceptable. Claims about supposed effects and evidence diverge drastically. Testimonials are used – legally okay because it is disclosed in the fine print that these are individual experiences and a fee was paid for the presentation. However, so exaggerated that it hurts. Terms like “superhero suit” are bandied about and phrases like “Your new superpower: the feeling that everything is possible again” are printed – with all due respect, it makes one sick.
Recommendation: keep your feet on the ground
We all, who deal with multiple sclerosis, know how difficult it is to stabilize and control patients with an advanced stage of the disease. And it is precisely this group of people, who are often desperately looking for ways to improve their mobility, that the Mollii Suit advertising is targeting, trying to generate sales, to make money, with big and unproven promises.
To make it clear: I fundamentally think it is good when there are innovations in the area of symptomatic MS therapy. In contrast to the innovations in immunotherapeutics, ultimately too little is happening in this important segment. Therefore, it is to be welcomed when companies engage in this area and develop new forms of aids like Ottobock. But I do ask that they keep their claims about effectiveness grounded and generate evidence. This is legally required for medications and it would be desirable if the legislator also generally prescribes this for medical devices. To counteract such excesses as described above – in the interest of patients.
