Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Jul;11(3):427-434.
doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2018.02.001. Epub 2018 Feb 16.

Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in persons with multiple sclerosis: Results of a multi-site randomized controlled trial with six month follow-up

Alexa K Stuifbergen  1 , Heather Becker  2 , Francisco Perez  2 , Janet Morrison  2 , Adama Brown  2 , Vicki Kullberg  2 , Wenhui Zhang  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in persons with multiple sclerosis: Results of a multi-site randomized controlled trial with six month follow-up

Alexa K Stuifbergen et al. Disabil Health J. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on cognition have gained increasing recognition as one of the major disabling symptoms of the disease. Despite the prevalence of these symptoms and their impact on quality of life, limited attention has been given to strategies that might help manage the cognitive changes commonly experienced by persons with MS.

Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation intervention MAPSS-MS (Memory, Attention, Problem Solving Skills in MS) in a multi-site trial with persons with MS.

Methods: Persons with MS (N = 183) with cognitive concerns were randomly assigned to either the 8-week MAPSS-MS intervention or usual care plus freely available computer games. Participants completed self-report and performance measures of cognitive functioning, compensatory strategies and depression at baseline, immediately after the MAPSS-MS intervention, and three and six months post-intervention. Changes in study outcomes were analyzed using intention to treat methodology, ANOVA with repeated measures, and ANCOVA.

Results: Both groups improved significantly on all outcome measures. The intervention group outperformed the comparison group on all measures, and there were statistically significant differences on selected measures.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that MAPSS-MS is a feasible intervention that could be broadly implemented in community settings. It has been shown to be modestly successful in improving cognitive functioning.

Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation; Multiple sclerosis; Randomized controlled trial.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Pierson SH, Griffith N. Treatment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Behav Neurol. 2006;17(1):53–67. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Stuifbergen AK, Becker H, Perez F, Morrison J, Kullberg V, Todd A. A randomized controlled trial of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for persons with multiple sclerosis. Clin Rehabil. 2012;26(10):882–893. - PMC - PubMed
    1. O’Brien AR, Chiaravalloti N, Goverover Y, DeLuca J. Evidenced-based cognitive rehabilitation for persons with multiple sclerosis: a review of the literature. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89(4):761–769. - PubMed
    1. Goretti B, Portaccio E, Zipoli V, et al. Impact of cognitive impairment on coping strategies in multiple sclerosis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2010;112(2):127–130. - PubMed
    1. Trapp BD, Peterson J, Ransohoff RM, Rudick R, Mörk S, Bö L. Axonal transection in the lesions of multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 1998;338(5):278–285. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms