INS NYC 2024 Program

Symposium	Symposia 8 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 04:00 pm - 05:25 pm Room: West Side Ballroom - Salon 1 Symposia 8: Interventions for neuropsychological conditions Simposium #5 Efficacy of Speed of Processing Training in Improving Functional Status in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis John DeLuca, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, United States Nancy Chiaravalloti, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States Silvana Costa, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States Yael Goverover, New York University, New York, United States Category: Multiple Sclerosis/ALS/Demyelinating Disorders Keyword 1: cognitive rehabilitation Keyword 2: information processing speed Keyword 3: activities of daily living Objective: Cognitive impairment is observed in up to two-thirds of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Impairments in cognitive processing speed (PS) is the most prevalent cognitive disturbance, occurs early in the course of disease and is strongly associated with disease progression, various brain parameters and everyday life functional activities. As such, cognitive rehabilitation for PS impairments should be an integral part of MS treatment and management. The current study examines the efficacy of Speed of Processing Training (SOPT) to improve processing speed (PS) and its impact on everyday functional outcomes in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). SOPT was chosen because of its significant positive results in the aging populations. Participants and Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial included 60 participants with clinically definite MS and impaired PS, 33 in the treatment group and 27 in the active placebo control group. SOPT, a restorative computerized cognitive intervention, consists of 10 sessions of a visual task designed to improve speed and accuracy of information processing. SOPT was delivered twice per week for 5 weeks, for 45-60 minute sessions. Outcomes included performance on the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) and self-report of functional behavior, quality of life (QOL), and affect. Participants completed baseline neuropsychological testing which was repeated post-treatment. Long-term follow-up assessments were completed 6 months after completion of treatment. Results: A significant effect of SOPT on PS was observed at follow-up (p<.05, η²_partial = 0.038) and was maintained 6 months later (p<.05, η² _partial = 0.042). From baseline to immediately after treatment, there was no significant difference between the treatment and placebo control conditions on the TIADL. However, at 6 months post completion of SOPT intervention, the treatment group performed significantly better than the placebo control group on the TIADL total score and 2 subtests (p=.03, η²_partial = 0.08). QOL, affective symptomatology and self-reported functional status were not changed after the intervention for either group. Conclusions: SOPT is effective for treating PS deficits in MS and the treatment effect was maintained at the 6-month follow-up period. While improvement in functional status (TIADL) was not observed immediately post treatment, an improvement on the TIADL was observed at the 6-month follow-up period. Such a delayed outcome in the cognitive rehabilitation literature has been referred to as a “sleeper effect”. These results suggest that cognitive intervention studies which do not contain long term outcome designs may miss potential treatment effects. Taken together, SOPT improves cognitive PS in persons with MS and can improve everyday functional activities.

Symposium

02/15/2024
04:00 pm - 05:25 pm
Room: West Side Ballroom - Salon 1

Symposia 8: Interventions for neuropsychological conditions

Simposium #5

Efficacy of Speed of Processing Training in Improving Functional Status in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

John DeLuca, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, United States
Nancy Chiaravalloti, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States
Silvana Costa, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States
Yael Goverover, New York University, New York, United States

Category: Multiple Sclerosis/ALS/Demyelinating Disorders

Keyword 1: cognitive rehabilitation
Keyword 2: information processing speed
Keyword 3: activities of daily living

Objective:

Cognitive impairment is observed in up to two-thirds of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Impairments in cognitive processing speed (PS) is the most prevalent cognitive disturbance, occurs early in the course of disease and is strongly associated with disease progression, various brain parameters and everyday life functional activities. As such, cognitive rehabilitation for PS impairments should be an integral part of MS treatment and management. The current study examines the efficacy of Speed of Processing Training (SOPT) to improve processing speed (PS) and its impact on everyday functional outcomes in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). SOPT was chosen because of its significant positive results in the aging populations.

Participants and Methods:

This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial included 60 participants with clinically definite MS and impaired PS, 33 in the treatment group and 27 in the active placebo control group. SOPT, a restorative computerized cognitive intervention, consists of 10 sessions of a visual task designed to improve speed and accuracy of information processing. SOPT was delivered twice per week for 5 weeks, for 45-60 minute sessions. Outcomes included performance on the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) and self-report of functional behavior, quality of life (QOL), and affect. Participants completed baseline neuropsychological testing which was repeated post-treatment. Long-term follow-up assessments were completed 6 months after completion of treatment.

Results:

A significant effect of SOPT on PS was observed at follow-up (p<.05, η²_partial = 0.038) and was maintained 6 months later (p<.05, η² _partial = 0.042). From baseline to immediately after treatment, there was no significant difference between the treatment and placebo control conditions on the TIADL. However, at 6 months post completion of SOPT intervention, the treatment group performed significantly better than the placebo control group on the TIADL total score and 2 subtests (p=.03, η²_partial = 0.08). QOL, affective symptomatology and self-reported functional status were not changed after the intervention for either group.

Conclusions:

SOPT is effective for treating PS deficits in MS and the treatment effect was maintained at the 6-month follow-up period. While improvement in functional status (TIADL) was not observed immediately post treatment, an improvement on the TIADL was observed at the 6-month follow-up period. Such a delayed outcome in the cognitive rehabilitation literature has been referred to as a “sleeper effect”. These results suggest that cognitive intervention studies which do not contain long term outcome designs may miss potential treatment effects. Taken together, SOPT improves cognitive PS in persons with MS and can improve everyday functional activities.