title: Efficacy of a short cognitive training program in patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive impairment is a common feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) and may have a substantial impact on quality of life. Evidence about the effectiveness of neuropsychological rehabilitation is still limited, but current data suggest that computer-assisted cognitive training improves cognitive performance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined computer-assisted training supported by home-based neuropsychological training to improve attention, processing speed, memory and executive functions during 3 consecutive months.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized controlled study blinded for the evaluators, 62 MS patients with clinically stable disease and mild-to-moderate levels of cognitive impairment were randomized to receive a computer-assisted neuropsychological training program (n=30) or no intervention (control group [CG]; n=32). The cognitive assessment included the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Test. Other secondary measures included subjective cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression, fatigue and quality of life measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment group (TG) showed significant improvements in measures of verbal memory, working memory and phonetic fluency after intervention, and repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed a positive effect in most of the functions. The control group (CG) did not show changes. The TG showed a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms and significant improvement in quality of life. There were no improvements in fatigue levels and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive intervention with a computer-assisted training supported by home training between face-to-face sessions is a useful tool to treat patients with MS and improve functions such as verbal memory, working memory and phonetic fluency.
authors.affiliation: Service of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna.
authors.forename: María Yaiza
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Pérez-Martín
authors.affiliation: Service of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna.
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Platas
authors.affiliation: Service of Neurology, Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital, Arrecife, Lanzarote.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eguía-Del Río
authors.affiliation: Service of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Croissier-Elías
authors.affiliation: Unit of Research, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiménez Sosa
keywords: cognitive impairment; cognitive training; multiple sclerosis; rehabilitation