Computer-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation for Multiple Sclerosis – Updated Findings
Brittany J. Thorne BS, Francisco I. Perez PhD, Victor M. Rivera MD, George J. Hutton MD.
RESULTS
BACKGROUND
General Cognitive Proficiency
General Cognitive Function
Cognitive deficits are common in individuals who have Multiple
Sclerosis (MS), occurring in 50 - 60% of those individuals who
have MS. At the present time, there are limited options for its
treatment (Sullivan, 2004). Therefore, we are evaluating the
effectiveness of a computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation
(CACR) program. This intervention has been shown to improve
neuropsychological processes in those with cognitive deficits
unrelated to MS, thus providing promise for this study (Bennet,
Dittmar, & Raubach, 1991).
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Baseline
Chaliman et al. (2008) presented preliminary data from our
clinic that were encouraging for the cognitive rehabilitation of
people with MS. Since then, we have recruited additional
participants and the data lend conclusive evidence toward our
hypotheses.
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Baseline
Seven Months
Seven Months
Attention
Reasoning
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0.148
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0.273
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OBJECTIVES
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CONCLUSIONS
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Baseline
METHODS
Seven Months
Baseline
Memory
Seven Months
Reaction Time
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Twenty-two individuals with MS demonstrating mild to moderate
cognitive deficits on formal NP testing were recruited to
participate in a 30-week study. Subjects completed one hour of
CACR five days a week at home and their progress was
monitored using a log and recorded data. Patients completed
pre and post MicroCog neuropsychological assessment (Powell
et al., 2004).
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In general, these preliminary results suggest that
participating in this online cognitive rehabilitation
program produced a trend toward improvements in
cognitive functioning, especially with regard to
attention, memory, and reasoning and reaction
time.
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0.140
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REFERENCES
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The data presented are for participants who
completed the full 7 month testing period. Results
from MicroCog testing indicate that General
Cognitive Functioning increased an average of 21
percentile points, General Cognitive Proficiency
increased an average of 19 percentile points,
Attention/Mental Control increased an average of
19 percentile points, and Memory increased an
average of 24 percentile points. In addition,
Reasoning Abilities increased an average of 13
percentage points and Reaction Time increased 20
points.
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To investigate the potential utility of computer-assisted cognitive
rehabilitation (CACR) in patients with MS who have mild to
moderate cognitive impairment.
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Pre post MicroCog t-test analyses demonstrated
statistically significant changes in General
Cognitive Functioning and Proficiency, Attention
and Mental Control, Memory, Reasoning, Spatial
Processing, and Reaction Time. In addition,
Information Processing Speed and Accuracy
approached significance.
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Baseline
Seven Months
Baseline
Seven Months
1 Bennett, T, Dittmar, C., & Raubach, S. (1991). Multiple sclerosis:
Cognitive deficits and rehabilitation strategies.
2 Chaliman, R., Perez, F. L., & Hutton, G. J. (2008). Longitudinal
Analysis of Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation in Multiple
Sclerosis. Poster presented at Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis
Centers.
3 Sullivan, K. (2004). Neuropsychological Assessment of Mental
Capacity. Neuropsychology Review, 14(3), 131-142.