Group memory rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a group memory rehabilitation programme combining compensation and restitution strategies.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Community.

Participants: People with multiple sclerosis who reported memory difficulties were recruited.

Interventions: A group memory rehabilitation programme, comprising ten 1.5-hour sessions, was compared with a waiting list control.

Main measures: The primary outcome was the Everyday Memory Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included the General Health Questionnaire 28 and MS Impact Scale administered four and eight months after randomization. In addition, those in the intervention group gave feedback about the intervention.

Results: Forty-eight participants were recruited. They were aged 34-72 years (mean 54.3, SD 11.0) and 33 (69%) were women. There were no significant differences between the two groups on the Everyday Memory Questionnaire or MS Impact Scale (P > 0.05) at four or eight months after randomization. However, the intervention group reported significantly better mood than controls on the GHQ-28 at eight months (P = 0.04). Participants showed minimal benefit from the memory rehabilitation programme on quantitative measures but the intervention was well received, as indicated by positive feedback at the end of the intervention.

Conclusions: There was no significant effect of the intervention on memory but there was a significant effect on mood. The results suggest a larger scale study is justified.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; cognition; groups; memory; rehabilitation.