Rilo, O. 1 , Ibarretxe-Bilbao, N. 1 , Peña, J. 1 , Antigüedad, A. 2 , Mendibe, M. 3 , Gómez, A. 1 & Ojeda, N. 1
1 Department of Methods and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
2 Neurology service, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
3 Neurology service, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
Introduction
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with impairment in several cognitive functions. Although some studies have attempted to test the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in MS, they do not implement an integrative rehabilitation program. The aim of the current study is to test the efficacy of an integrative rehabilitation program in MS.
Methods
Twenty-six MS patients were randomized to the rehabilitation (REHACOP) or control group. REHACOP group (n=15) received cognitive rehabilitation for attention, processing speed, learning and memory, language, executive functions and social cognition for 3 months (3 sessions/week of 60 minutes). The control group (n=16) did not receive any assistance. Patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment at baseline and after treatment that included test of attention, processing speed, verbal and visual memory, working memory, verbal fluency, executive functions, naming and theory of mind. Both groups differed significantly on the MMSE score, so this variable was included as a covariate in repeated measures MANCOVA.
Results
Group by time interactions of repeated measures MANCOVA indicated that the experimental group improved significantly when compared to control group in processing speed (n2p =0.14, p=0.04), working memory (n2p =0.17, p=0.03) and executive functions (n2p =0.13, p=0.05), as well as a tendency to significant improvement in verbal memory (p=0.07).
Conclusions
The REHACOP group showed significant and large improvement in processing speed and working memory, and medium-large improvement in executive functions.