Intervention for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately one million people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide. Between one million and 1.75 million persons with MS (PwMS) worldwide are estimated to suffer from cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, there is currently no consensus on the best treatment for cognitive impairment in PwMS. The objective for this study is to determine if a computerized cognitive training using the BrainHQ platform can improve cognitive impairment in PwMS. The central hypothesis is that computerized cognitive training will show some improvement in cognitive impairment. The rationale for this study is to treat all aspects of MS, not just the physical symptoms and to help PwMS live their best life. Cognitive impairment is associated with higher rates of depression in PwMS and depression leads to medication non-adherence. This means the cognitive impairment so many PwMS are dealing with must be treated. Finding non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate cognitive declines are essential to ensure that quality of life for PwMS patients matches our ability to treat and mitigate their physical symptoms of MS. To obtain the overall objectives for this study the following specific aim will be pursued: Determine the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training on changes in cognitive impairment for PwMS. This will be accomplished by completing a randomized clinical trial with two groups: computerized cognitive training using BrainHQ and an active control group that will complete non-cognitive training programs on BrainHQ. Subjects will complete the BICAMS battery at baseline and at the end of their six week intervention. Subjects will be prescribed online activities through BrainHQ to complete 2-3 times a week for approximately 20-30 minutes each. Subjects will also be asked to wear an accelerometer for a week to determine if physical activity affects cognition. The proposed research is significant because MS is diagnosed on average at age 30, meaning a high percentage of the PwMS that are suffering with cognitive impairment are in their second, third and fourth decade when they are trying to raise a family, finish college, further their career and have active social lives.