Evaluation of the effects of group psychotherapy on cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis with cognitive dysfunction and depression.
OBJECTIVE
This study will evaluate how decreasing depression severity via group psychotherapy affects the cognitive function of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are also diagnosed with depression and cognitive dysfunction.


METHODS
MS patients completed the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The group members diagnosed with depression and cognitive dysfunction underwent group psychotherapy for 3 months. Upon completion of psychotherapy, both tests were readministered.


RESULTS
Depression and cognitive dysfunction were comorbid in 15 (13.9%) of patients. Although improvement was detected at the end of the 3-month group psychotherapy intervention, it was limited to the BDI and the Paced Auditory Test.


CONCLUSIONS
Group psychotherapy might decrease cognitive impairment in MS patients.
Department of Neurology, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Emine
E
Bilgi
Department of Neurology, Dicle University Medical School Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Hasan Hüseyin
HH
Özdemir
Mayis Psychology Center, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ayhan
A
Bingol
Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey.
Serpil
S
Bulut
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome