Author/Authors :
Messinis, Lambros Neuropsychology Section - Department of Neurology - University of Patras Medical School, Greece , Nasios, Grigorios Department of Speech and Language Therapy - Higher Educational Institute of Epirus, Ioannina, Greece , Kosmidis, Mary H Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience - School of Psychology - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece , Zampakis, Petros Department of Radiology - University of Patras Medical School, Greece , Malefaki, Sonia Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics - University of Patras, Greece , Ntoskou, Katerina Rehabilitation Unit for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury - Demetrios and Vera Sfikas - Department of Medicine - University of Patras, Greece , Nousia, Anastasia Department of Speech and Language Therapy - Higher Educational Institute of Epirus, Ioannina, Greece , Bakirtzis, Christos Department of Neurology and the MS Center - AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece , Grigoriadis, Nikolaos Department of Neurology and the MS Center - AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece , Gourzis, Philippos Department of Psychiatry - University Hospital of Patras and University of Patras Medical School, Greece , Papathanasopoulos, Panagiotis University of Patras Medical School, Greece
Abstract :
Cognitive impairment is frequently encountered in multiple sclerosis (MS) affecting between 40–65% of individuals, irrespective of disease duration and severity of physical disability. In the present multicenter randomized controlled trial, fifty-eight clinically stable RRMS patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and relatively low disability status were randomized to receive either computer-assisted (RehaCom) functional cognitive training with an emphasis on episodic memory, information processing speed/attention, and executive functions for 10 weeks (IG; n = 32) or standard clinical care (CG; n = 26). Outcome measures included a flexible comprehensive neuropsychological battery of tests sensitive to MS patient deficits and feedback regarding personal benefit gained from the intervention on four verbal questions. Only the IG group showed significant improvements in verbal and visuospatial episodic memory, processing speed/attention, and executive functioning from pre - to postassessment. Moreover, the improvement obtained on attention was retained over 6 months providing evidence on the long-term benefits of this intervention. Group by time interactions revealed significant improvements in composite cognitive domain scores in the IG relative to the demographically and clinically matched CG for verbal episodic memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and attention. Treated patients rated the intervention positively and were more confident about their cognitive abilities following treatment.
Keywords :
Computer-Assisted Cognitive , Rehabilitation Intervention , Relapsing-Remitting , Multiple Sclerosis Patients , Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
