BACKGROUND: There is controversial information on the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to test a home-based computerized program for retraining attention dysfunction in MS. METHODS:Relapsing-remitting patients who failed >; 2 tests of attention on an extensive neuropsychological battery were randomized to specific or nonspecific computerized training (ST, n-ST), in one-hour sessions, twice a week for three months. Outcome measures included neuropsychological assessment, depression, fatigue, everyday activities and a visual analogue scale assessing attentive performance (VAS). Assessments were repeated after the interventions and after a further three months. Statistical analysis included the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. RESULTS:Eighty-eight out of 102 randomized patients completed the study (69 women, age 40.9 ± 11.5 years, disease duration 13.0 ± 8.7 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale score 2.7 ± 1.5). Fifty-five patients were randomized to ST, 33 to n-ST. A benefit of the ST was observed on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (p < 0.002). However, patient self-report did not reveal differences between ST and n-ST patient groups. CONCLUSION: Although our program trained different attention components, we could detect some improvements exclusively on tasks of sustained attention. Moreover, patient self-perceived results may be independent of the training program.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: There is controversial information on the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to test a home-based computerized program for retraining attention dysfunction in MS. METHODS: Relapsing-remitting patients who failed > 2 tests of attention on an extensive neuropsychological battery were randomized to specific or nonspecific computerized training (ST, n-ST), in one-hour sessions, twice a week for three months. Outcome measures included neuropsychological assessment, depression, fatigue, everyday activities and a visual analogue scale assessing attentive performance (VAS). Assessments were repeated after the interventions and after a further three months. Statistical analysis included the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. RESULTS: Eighty-eight out of 102 randomized patients completed the study (69 women, age 40.9 ± 11.5 years, disease duration 13.0 ± 8.7 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale score 2.7 ± 1.5). Fifty-five patients were randomized to ST, 33 to n-ST. A benefit of the ST was observed on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (p < 0.002). However, patient self-report did not reveal differences between ST and n-ST patient groups. CONCLUSION: Although our program trained different attention components, we could detect some improvements exclusively on tasks of sustained attention. Moreover, patient self-perceived results may be independent of the training program.
Entities:
Keywords:
Multiple sclerosis; attention; cognitive rehabilitation; computerized training
Authors: Nadina B Lincoln; Lucy E Bradshaw; Cris S Constantinescu; Florence Day; Avril Er Drummond; Deborah Fitzsimmons; Shaun Harris; Alan A Montgomery; Roshan das Nair Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2020-01 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: Sebastian Harenberg; Jennifer St Onge; Jill Robinson; Omorowa Eguakun; Anthony Feinstein; Kim Dorsch; Rumit Singh Kakar; Raghig Abdulhakim; Zia Rehman; Melad Shawush; Vinesh Pillay Journal: Int J MS Care Date: 2020-10-16
Authors: S Bonavita; R Sacco; M Della Corte; S Esposito; M Sparaco; A d'Ambrosio; R Docimo; A Bisecco; L Lavorgna; D Corbo; S Cirillo; A Gallo; F Esposito; G Tedeschi Journal: J Neurol Date: 2014-10-12 Impact factor: 4.849