Friday, 10 April 2015

Benefits of modified Story Memory Technique may be adversely affected by deficit in processing speed





MS researchers at Kessler Foundation study processing speed impact on cognitive training


Dr. Chiaravalloti. Credit: Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation researchers published a subanalysis of their MEMREHAB trial, which shows that treatment with the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) may be affected by cognitive dysfunction. Investigators looked at the influence of processing speed on benefits of the mSMT, a 10-session cognitive intervention protocol shown to improve new learning and memory in individuals with MS. The influence of cognitive dysfunction on benefit from learning and memory rehabilitation in MS: A subanalysis of the MEMREHAB trial, was published online ahead of print on February 6 by Multiple Sclerosis Journal. The authors are John DeLuca, PhD, and Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, of Kessler Foundation.



Deficits in processing speed, which are common in MS, have been shown to adversely affect and everyday functioning. "This evidence supports the need to investigate the influence of processing speed in performance on ," said Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of Neuroscience & Neuropsychology and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Research at Kessler Foundation."


The MEMREHAB trial included 85 participants with MS; 45 received the intervention and 40 were controls. Half were found to have processing speed deficits; all had impairment as a criterion for participation in the trial. Among the participants with deficits in processing speed, the mSMT was not as beneficial. Performance on SDMT (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) was determined to be an indicator for mSMT benefit.


"Processing speed may be an indicator of cognitive decline, which may be a factor in the reduced benefit with mSMT," said Dr. Chiaravalloti. "Also, learning and memory impairments can have different mechanisms. In individuals with deficits in processing, impaired learning and memory may stem from difficulties with working memory and attention, as well as slowed processing speed. This could also affect outcomes on the mSMT."


This subanalysis was based on the Foundation's MEMREHAB Trial, which provided the first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in MS.



More information: 1. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, DOI: 10.1177/1352458514567726


2. Chiaravalloti N, et al: An RCT to treat learning impairment in MS. Neurology 2013 81(24):2066-72. DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000437295.97946.a8S



Journal reference: Neurology


Provided by Kessler Foundation



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MS researchers at Kessler Foundation study processing speed impact on cognitive training


Dr. Chiaravalloti. Credit: Kessler Foundation


Kessler Foundation researchers published a subanalysis of their MEMREHAB trial, which shows that treatment with the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) may be affected by cognitive dysfunction. Investigators looked at the influence of processing speed on benefits of the mSMT, a 10-session cognitive intervention protocol shown to improve new learning and memory in individuals with MS. The influence of cognitive dysfunction on benefit from learning and memory rehabilitation in MS: A subanalysis of the MEMREHAB trial, was published online ahead of print on February 6 by Multiple Sclerosis Journal. The authors are John DeLuca, PhD, and Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, of Kessler Foundation.



Deficits in processing speed, which are common in MS, have been shown to adversely affect and everyday functioning. "This evidence supports the need to investigate the influence of processing speed in performance on ," said Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of Neuroscience & Neuropsychology and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Research at Kessler Foundation."


The MEMREHAB trial included 85 participants with MS; 45 received the intervention and 40 were controls. Half were found to have processing speed deficits; all had impairment as a criterion for participation in the trial. Among the participants with deficits in processing speed, the mSMT was not as beneficial. Performance on SDMT (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) was determined to be an indicator for mSMT benefit.


"Processing speed may be an indicator of cognitive decline, which may be a factor in the reduced benefit with mSMT," said Dr. Chiaravalloti. "Also, learning and memory impairments can have different mechanisms. In individuals with deficits in processing, impaired learning and memory may stem from difficulties with working memory and attention, as well as slowed processing speed. This could also affect outcomes on the mSMT."


This subanalysis was based on the Foundation's MEMREHAB Trial, which provided the first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in MS.



More information: 1. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, DOI: 10.1177/1352458514567726


2. Chiaravalloti N, et al: An RCT to treat learning impairment in MS. Neurology 2013 81(24):2066-72. DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000437295.97946.a8S



Journal reference: Neurology


Provided by Kessler Foundation



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date Aug 08, 2014

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Scientists link slowed processing speed with executive deficits in MS


date Sep 16, 2014

Kessler Foundation researchers have published a study supporting the role of slowed processing speed in the executive deficits found in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). "Does slowed processing speed account for executive ...



Study provides first Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS


date Nov 21, 2013

Kessler Foundation researchers published the results of the MEMREHAB Trial in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, providing the first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive rehabi ...



Study reports greater brain activation after cognitive rehabilitation for MS


date Jan 17, 2012

Neuroscientists at Kessler Foundation have documented increased cerebral activation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) following memory retraining using the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT).



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Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, an expert in cognitive rehabilitation research, authored two commentaries on trends in multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Dr. Chiaravalloti is director of Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research at ...





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