Cognitive rehabilitation improves cognitive impairment in people with multiple sclerosis
Kessler Foundation research team determines that behavioral interventions are the best treatment options that clinicians can offer to people who experience MS-related cognitive deficits
East Hanover, NJ. August 19, 2021. In a review of recent literature, a team of researchers from Kessler Foundation conclude that cognitive rehabilitation programs are efficacious in treating multiple sclerosis-related cognitive dysfunction, and urge clinicians to consider this low-cost, low-risk, yet effective treatment approach for their patients.
The article, “Neurological update: cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis” (doi: 10.1007/s00415-021-10618-2) was published in Journal of Neurology on May 24, 2021. The authors are Michelle H. Chen, PhD, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, PhD, and John DeLuca, PhD, of Kessler Foundation. The authors have academic appointments at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Cognitive impairment is a common and debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting as many as two-thirds of people with the disease. Symptoms of cognitive impairment vary among individuals, but often include slow information processing speed and inefficient learning and memory. Such deficits can be extremely disruptive to everyday life, affecting a person’s ability to manage their disease, complete commonplace errands, and maintain employment. Unfortunately, there is no gold-standard treatment for MS-related cognitive impairment, as medications approved to treat MS have shown limited efficacy in treating cognitive dysfunction.
One promising treatment approach is cognitive rehabilitation, in which behavioral interventions are used to improve cognition. There are two general approaches to cognitive rehabilitation: restorative and compensatory. Restorative cognitive rehabilitation (also known as cognitive remediation) aims to reinforce, strengthen, and recover cognitive skills, typically through repetitive cognitive exercises using computer-assisted paradigms. In contrast, compensatory cognitive rehabilitation does not aim to restore lost cognitive skills. Rather, it helps patients compensate for their cognitive difficulties using various strategies such as visualization and reminders.
In their review, the Kessler team summarized the current state of cognitive rehabilitation research, both restorative and compensatory, among people with MS. Based on available evidence, they suggest that cognitive rehabilitation is an effective approach to improving MS-related cognitive impairment, as demonstrated by 81 published studies, most of which were published since 2011.
“Cognitive rehabilitation should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for people with MS who experience cognitive deficits,” said co-author Dr. DeLuca, Senior Vice President for Research and Training at Kessler Foundation. “Given the lack of approved pharmacological treatments, behavioral approaches are the best treatment options that clinicians can currently offer,” he stressed. “Patients generally report enjoying treatment, which would be conducive to compliance. Furthermore, computer-based treatments can be easily delivered at home, making this low-cost effective intervention more convenient and accessible to individuals in need.”
Funding sources: The preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Grant MB-1606- 08779 to John DeLuca, and funding by Kessler Foundation.
About Kessler Foundation: Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities.
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