Abstract
BackgroundPrevention of cognitive decline in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is of major importance. We explored the effect of a 6 months computerized game training program on cognitive performance in MS patients with mild cognitive impairment.MethodsThis was a single-center, randomized prospective study. We enrolled in this study 100 eligible MS patients treated with Interferon-beta-1a (Rebif). All had mild cognitive impairment in either executive function or information processing speed. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either use the cognitive games platform by HappyNeuron (HN) or receive no intervention. Executive function and information processing speed scores were measured at 3 and 6 months from baseline to evaluate the effect of game training on cognitive scores.ResultsIn both executive function and information processing speed, the game Training group showed significant improvement after 3 and 6 months. The Non-Training group showed mild deterioration in both domains at 3 months, and further deterioration that became significant at 6 months in executive function. Furthermore, at 6 months, the percent of patients in the Training group that improved or remained stable in both cognitive domains was significantly higher compared to the Non-Training group.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that cognitive game training has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance in MS patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment. While further evaluation is required to assess the longevity of that effect, we nonetheless recommend to MS patients to be engaged in cognitive gaming practice as part of a holistic approach to treating their condition.
Highlights
Cognitive impairment is reported to occur in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients along the disease course [1] and can present even in the early disease phase [2, 3].only a few studies assessed the effect of cognitive rehabilitative practice by cognitive training on cognitive performance in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using various models of cognitive games to improve brain plasticity [4,5,6,7]
We have recently reported the correlations between web-based cognitive game training tasks and cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis and demonstrated the correlations between specific games and cognitive performance [23]
In the current prospective study, we further evaluated a large group of MS patients with mild cognitive impairment, all treated with the same immunomodulatory drug, and assessed whether targeted cognitive game training for a 6 months period provides cognitive benefits within the domains of information processing speed and executive functioning
Summary
Cognitive impairment is reported to occur in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients along the disease course [1] and can present even in the early disease phase [2, 3].only a few studies assessed the effect of cognitive rehabilitative practice by cognitive training on cognitive performance in MS using various models of cognitive games to improve brain plasticity [4,5,6,7]. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis [8] assessing the effects of computerized cognitive training on cognitive outcomes in adults with MS found small to moderate effect sizes for attention/processing speed, executive functions, and verbal and visuospatial memory. These key Menascu et al Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (2021) 18:175 cognitive domains are the ones most commonly affected in MS-related cognitive impairment [9, 10]. Neuroplasticity encodes the ability of the nervous system to respond to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, function, and connections Such plasticity is adaptive when associated with a gain in function [12]. We explored the effect of a 6 months computerized game training program on cognitive performance in MS patients with mild cogni‐ tive impairment
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