Graduation Date

Spring 5-6-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programs

Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area

First Advisor

Laura Bilek

Abstract

Between one million and 1.75 million persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) worldwide are estimated to suffer from cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, there is currently no consensus on the best treatment for cognitive impairment in PwMS. Finding non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate cognitive decline is essential to ensure that quality of life for PwMS matches our ability to treat and mitigate their physical symptoms of MS. Computerized cognitive training has emerged as a potential option for PwMS suffering from cognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training with BrainHQ on changes in cognitive impairment for PwMS. Fifty-two RRMS patients were randomized to either intervention or control and completed 9 hours of BrainHQ assigned activities over six weeks. Subjects were administered the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS BICAMS battery at baseline and post-intervention. The intervention group statistically improved on the SDMT (p< 0.01), CVLT-II (p<0.001) and BVMT-R (p<0.001). On average, the active treatment group improved by 3.65, 9.46 and 3.38 points on the SDMT, CVLT-II and BVMT-R, respectively. These were all significant improvements from baseline indicating that six weeks of computerized cognitive training with BrainHQ can improve cognition in PwMS. This study provides evidence that computerized cognitive training with BrainHQ is a valuable option for PwMS suffering from cognitive decline.

Comments

2023 Copyright, the authors

Download

Included in

Neurosciences Commons

Share

COinS