Computer-aided retraining of memory and attention in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Treating learning impairments improves memory performance in multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial. Evaluation of cognitive assessment and cognitive intervention for people with multiple sclerosis. Efficacy of a neuropsychological training programme for patients with multiple sclerosis -- a randomised controlled trial. Evaluation of rehabilitation of memory in neurological disabilities (ReMiND): a randomized controlled trial. Cognitive training in MS: effects and relation to brain atrophy.
Cognitive compromise is one of the main contributing factors to activity and participation restrictions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Computer-aided programs are used for retraining memory and attention, but data on the efficacy of these interventions are scarce.
                To assess the efficacy of computer-aided retraining of memory and attention in people with MS impaired in these abilities.
                Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
                Outpatients (n=82) with subjective complaints of poor attention or memory, confirmed by a score <80th percentile in at least two tests of the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRBNT).
                Participants were randomized to two computer-assisted retraining interventions: memory and attention (study arm), and visuo-constructional and visuo-motor coordination (control arm). Both groups received 16 training sessions over 8 weeks.
                Improvement of 20% or more in at least two BRBNT test scores at 8 weeks compared to baseline (primary end point). Changes in depression and health-related quality of life.
                An improvement occurred in 45% of study patients vs. 43% of control patients (odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.44-2.64). The study treatment was better than the control treatment only on the word list generation test (p=0.016).
                This trial does not support the efficacy of specific memory and attention retraining in MS. This randomized clinical trial utilized established techniques to improve new learning and memory performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) participants with learning impairment. Participants were 29 individuals with clinically definite MS with documented learning deficits, randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent eight sessions of the Story Memory Technique (SMT), while the control group participated in eight sessions of memory exercises. Neuropsychological assessment was conducted at baseline, immediately following treatment and 5 weeks later to assess outcome. When stratifying participants by degree of learning deficits, a significant treatment effect was noted. MS participants with moderate-severe impairment in learning showed a significant improvement in learning abilities when compared to controls, (t(19) =3.32, P<0.01) evident in 88% of participants in the experimental group. Little improvement was noted in MS participants with mild learning impairments. Significant self-reported improvements in memory were noted in MS participants that underwent treatment, but not those that did not undergo treatment (t(26) =2.55, P<0.01). Results indicate that learning and memory deficits in MS can be effectively treated through a memory rehabilitation program utilizing context and imagery to improve new learning. Appropriate patient selection is important, with moderately-severely impaired individuals showing significantly greater benefit from treatment. Cognitive problems in multiple sclerosis are common but any possible benefits of treatment remain uncertain. The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of providing a psychology service, including cognitive assessment and intervention, to patients with multiple sclerosis.
                The study was a single blind randomised controlled trial. A total of 240 patients with clinically definite, laboratory supported, or clinically probable multiple sclerosis were recruited from an multiple sclerosis management clinic and assessed on a brief screening battery. They were randomised into three groups. The control group received no further intervention. The assessment group received a detailed cognitive assessment, the result of which was fed back to staff involved in the patients' care. The treatment group received the same detailed cognitive assessment and a treatment programme designed to help reduce the impact of their cognitive problems. Patients were followed up 4 and 8 months later on the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), extended activities of daily living scale, SF-36, everyday memory questionnaire, dysexecutive syndrome questionnaire, and memory aids questionnaire.
                The three groups were compared on the outcome measures at 4 and 8 months after recruitment. There were few significant differences between the groups and those that occurred favoured the control group. Overall, the results showed no effect of the interventions on mood, quality of life, subjective cognitive impairment or independence.
                The study failed to detect any significant effects of cognitive assessment or cognitive intervention in this cohort of people with multiple sclerosis. One aim of this project was to investigate the efficacy of a specific training programme for MS patients which also contained compensation strategies and relaxation exercises relevant to everyday life. The other aim was to check the programme's relevance to everyday life.
                19 patients, randomised into two groups, took part in the study. The participants in the treated group completed a specific neurological training programme which began immediately after the basic testing (visit 1) and lasted 4 weeks, with a total of 12 sessions. The monitoring test was done immediately after the training programme (at visit 2) and the follow-up was 3 months later (visit 3). Both study groups were fully comparable as regards clinical and socio-demographic data and baseline intelligence level.
                The results of the cognitive training programme were especially evident in the significant improvements in executive functions (CKV) and spatial-constructional abilities (HAWIE-R). Comparison between the treated and the control group showed no significant difference in the fatigue values (MFIS). However, when the treated group was examined over the three times of measurements, the symptoms of fatigue had diminished significantly. Regarding memory, comparison of the groups showed no changes; within the treated group; however, the verbal (VLT) and nonverbal learning and memory (NVLT) improved significantly. The results for sustained attention improved in both groups over time. It must be assumed that a learning effect had occurred here. The depression values (BDI) also improved in both study groups. The follow-up questionnaire showed that 60% (6) attributed an average to above-average benefit to the training.
                To summarise, it is apparent that MS patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment are able to profit from even a fairly brief neuropsychological training programme and to integrate much of it into their everyday lives. In view of this, it would seem appropriate to offer such a programme as standard, associated with medication. The evidence for the effectiveness of memory rehabilitation is inconclusive. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of two group memory rehabilitation programmes with a self-help group control.
                Single-blind randomized controlled trial.
                Participants with memory problems following traumatic brain injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis were recruited from community settings.
                Participants were randomly allocated, in cohorts of four, to compensation or restitution group treatment programmes or a self-help group control. All programmes were manual-based and comprised two individual and ten weekly group sessions.
                Memory functions, mood, and activities of daily living were assessed at baseline and five and seven months after randomization.
                There were 72 participants (mean age 47.7, SD 10.2 years; 32 men). There was no significant effect of treatment on the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (P = 0.97). At seven months the mean scores were comparable (restitution 36.6, compensation 41.0, self-help 44.1). However, there was a significant difference between groups on the Internal Memory Aids Questionnaire (P = 0.002). The compensation and restitution groups each used significantly more internal memory aids than the self-help group (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on measures of mood, adjustment and activities of daily living (P > 0.05).
                There results show few statistically significant effects of either compensation or restitution memory group treatment as compared with a self-help group control. Further randomized trials of memory rehabilitation are needed. Cognitive disorders are common in MS patients without any generally recommended treatment. Recent brain imaging studies show considerable neuroplasticity for cognitive tasks in MS patients, but also brain atrophy already early in the disease progression. We explored the benefits of a home-based cognitive training program for memory and working memory functions in relapsing-remitting MS patients controlling for whole brain and central brain atrophy as covariates.
                Using a single-blinded controlled study design, 42 patients were randomised into a treatment group and a control group. Home based computer training focusing on memory and working memory was started at least 4 weeks after the discontinuation of methylprednisolone treatment and lasted for 6 weeks. Two weeks later the patients were re-investigated for their clinical and cognitive performance. We assessed also quality of life (QoL), depression and fatigue using self-rating scales.
                Training had no effect on the neurological status and on QoL or fatigue. However, the treatment group showed better verbal learning, long-delay verbal memory performance, and working memory performance. The impact of treatment on long-delay verbal memory performance was independent from the extent of brain atrophy, whereas for the other findings brain atrophy played a significant role.
                An intensive home-based cognitive training program is suitable to improve the cognitive performance of MS patients. The impact of brain atrophy on rehabilitation outcome may differ for cognitive functions.
There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of memory rehabilitation on memory function or functional abilities in patients with MS. However, this conclusion has been arrived because of the limited quality of some of the primary studies reviewed in this area. Further robust, RCTs of higher methodological quality and better quality of reporting are needed.