Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Keywords
learning, memory, cognitive training
Brief summary
Cognitive impairments are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed both at the onset and throughout the disease course. Poor cognitive abilities have been associated with poor outcomes such as higher levels of unemployment, poor quality of life, driving difficulties among others. Learning and memory are a common cognitive deficit. This computer-based cognitive training is a 10-session treatment proven to be effective in ameliorating learning and memory in individuals with MS across 3 realms of functioning: objective cognitive performance, daily life activities and neuroimaging. Despite this strong efficacy, as well as the recent clinical application of this computer-based cognitive training across the world, recent in-person studies have highlighted that transportation to the clinic to complete treatment sessions is a significant obstacle to clinical use of this effective treatment. To address this limitation, the proposed pilot study will test the efficacy of the computer-based cognitive training administered remotely via zoom health in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALLearning and memory training
The experimental group will receive memory retraining exercises administered on a laptop computer via Zoom Health twice a week for five weeks (10 training sessions).
BEHAVIORALSham Comparator
The sham comparator group will receive sham memory exercises administered on a laptop computer via Zoom Health twice a week for five weeks (10 placebo control sessions).
Sponsors
Kessler Foundation
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* English as primary language * Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Exclusion criteria
* Most recent exacerbation within one month * Other Neurological History: head injury, stroke, seizures, or any other significant neurological history will not be included in the study * Individuals with an active diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder I or II will be excluded from the study. * Poor Visual Acuity (corrected vision in worse eye < 20/60), diplopia, or nystagmus * Inability to understand directions and following one, two, and three step commands * Intact New Learning and Memory: Only individuals that show impaired performance on a memory test will be included in the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| California Learning Verbal Test III | Primary outcome will be assessed at baseline (1 week before training start) and immediate follow-up (within 1 week after training completion) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Ecological Memory Simulations | Secondary outcome will be assessed at baseline (1 week before training start) and immediate follow-up (within 1 week after training completion) |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactSilvana L Costa Research Scientist, PhD
Outcome results
None listed