title: The influence of cognitive dysfunction on benefit from learning and memory rehabilitation in MS: A sub-analysis of the MEMREHAB trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the influence of processing speed (PS) on benefit from treatment with the modified Story Memory Technique(©) (mSMT), a behavioral intervention shown to improve new learning and memory in multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial included 85 participants with clinically definite MS, 45 assigned to the treatment group and 40 to the placebo-control group. Participants completed baseline and follow-up neuropsychological assessment. The present study represents a post-hoc analysis to examine the role of PS on treatment efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment group showed a significantly improved CVLT learning slope relative to the placebo group post-treatment, after co-varying PS performance. SDMT performance was a significant predictor of benefit from mSMT treatment, beyond group assignment. Post-hoc analysis indicated a significant correlation between the SDMT and overall cognition, indicating that the SDMT may be serving as a proxy for overall cognitive impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performance on measures of cognitive dysfunction aside from learning and memory impact the benefit of mSMT treatment. While the current study focused on PS as a critical factor, PS may be serving as a marker for generalized cognitive dysfunction. Implications for cognitive rehabilitation in MS are discussed.
authors: Kessler Foundation, Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Laboratory, USA/Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, USA nchiaravalloti@kesslerfoundation.org.
authors: Nancy D
authors: ND
authors: Chiaravalloti
authors: Kessler Foundation, Senior Vice President for Research USA/Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, USA/Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Neurology & Neurosciences, USA.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: DeLuca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; cognitive rehabilitation; cognitive remediation; episodic memory; new learning; processing speed