BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews have indicated a low level of evidence for the positive effects of neuropsychological and cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS). How permanent the positive effects are, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether short-term neuropsychological rehabilitation has long-term beneficial effects in a nine-month follow-up. METHODS:102 relapsing-remitting MS patients with subjective and objective attentional deficits were randomized into intervention and control groups. Altogether 78 out of 102 patients (76%) completed the longitudinal follow-up (intervention group 83%, control group 67%). Intervention group received strategy-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation conducted once a week in 60-minute sessions during thirteen consecutive weeks. The control group received no intervention. Cognitive deficits, mood, fatigue, impact of disease, and quality of life were evaluated with self-reports at baseline, six months, and one year from baseline. RESULTS: The positive effects of neuropsychological rehabilitation on perceived cognitive deficits were maintained for nine months. Among a subgroup of patients with moderate to severe attentional deficits, positive rehabilitation outcome was even more evident. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects of strategy-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation on perceived cognitive deficits in MS may be maintained for at least one year after the beginning of the intervention.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews have indicated a low level of evidence for the positive effects of neuropsychological and cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS). How permanent the positive effects are, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether short-term neuropsychological rehabilitation has long-term beneficial effects in a nine-month follow-up. METHODS: 102 relapsing-remitting MSpatients with subjective and objective attentional deficits were randomized into intervention and control groups. Altogether 78 out of 102 patients (76%) completed the longitudinal follow-up (intervention group 83%, control group 67%). Intervention group received strategy-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation conducted once a week in 60-minute sessions during thirteen consecutive weeks. The control group received no intervention. Cognitive deficits, mood, fatigue, impact of disease, and quality of life were evaluated with self-reports at baseline, six months, and one year from baseline. RESULTS: The positive effects of neuropsychological rehabilitation on perceived cognitive deficits were maintained for nine months. Among a subgroup of patients with moderate to severe attentional deficits, positive rehabilitation outcome was even more evident. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects of strategy-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation on perceived cognitive deficits in MS may be maintained for at least one year after the beginning of the intervention.
Authors: Lauren A Taylor; Jacqueline R Mhizha-Murira; Laura Smith; Kristy-Jane Potter; Dana Wong; Nikos Evangelou; Nadina B Lincoln; Roshan das Nair Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2021-10-18
Authors: Mohammad Mahdi Shahpouri; Majid Barekatain; Mahgol Tavakoli; Omid Mirmosayyeb; Ali Safaei; Vahid Shaygannejad Journal: Neurol Res Int Date: 2020-11-22
Authors: Jessica Podda; Andrea Tacchino; Ludovico Pedullà; Margherita Monti Bragadin; Mario Alberto Battaglia; Giampaolo Brichetto Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2020-10-13 Impact factor: 5.855
Authors: Ilse M Nauta; Anne E M Speckens; Roy P C Kessels; Jeroen J G Geurts; Vincent de Groot; Bernard M J Uitdehaag; Luciano Fasotti; Brigit A de Jong Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2017-11-21 Impact factor: 2.474