title: Persistence of the effects of attention and executive functions intensive rehabilitation in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropsychological rehabilitation efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is a currently investigated issue. We reported, in a single blind controlled study, that an intensive short duration cognitive training of attention and executive functions significantly improves the treated functions and reduces depression in MS. The persistence of these effects over time are unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the persistence over time of neuropsychological improvement due to cognitive training nine months after rehabilitation onset.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a single blind randomized controlled study. 24 MS patients were randomly assigned to experimental group (n=13) and received PC assisted neuropsychological treatment for three months, or to control group (n=11), receiving no treatment. Patients were submitted to neuropsychological evaluation, depression and quality of life questionnaires at baseline, three months and nine months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine months follow up compared to baseline evaluation shows a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in attention, information processing and executive functions tests (PASAT 3″, COWA/S, WCSTpe), in depression and quality of life questionnaires in rehabilitated patients only. reliable change index (RCI) and modified RCI confirmed the clinical significance of this improvement in rehabilitated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three months intensive neuropsychological rehabilitation of attention, information processing and executive functions induces a long lasting and clinically relevant neuropsychological improvement over time and a persistent depression and quality of life amelioration in patients with RR MS.
authors: Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, V. Nikolajewka, 13, 25123 Brescia, Italy. Electronic address: flaviacaterina.mattioli@gmail.com.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Mattioli
authors: Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, V. Nikolajewka, 13, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Stampatori
authors: Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, V. Nikolajewka, 13, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Scarpazza
authors: Statistics, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Parrinello
authors: Multiple Sclerosis Center, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Capra
keywords: Attention; Executive function; Information processing; Multiple sclerosis; Rehabilitation; Reliability