Cognitive phenotypes predict response to restorative cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis

Mult Scler. 2024 Mar;30(3):448-452. doi: 10.1177/13524585231208331. Epub 2023 Nov 9.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive phenotyping may be useful for predicting rehabilitation response in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate the association between cognitive phenotype(s) and response to restorative cognitive rehabilitation (RRCR).

Methods: In a post hoc retrospective analysis of the RRCR study including 51 multiple sclerosis patients, we evaluated both impairment within specific cognitive domains as well as overall global impairment severity to investigate their relationship to improvement following rehabilitation.

Results: Greater improvement in executive function was predicted by impairment within this domain as well as by having fewer impaired cognitive domains overall. Similar results were observed for visuospatial memory.

Conclusions: Patients most likely to benefit from restorative cognitive rehabilitation may exhibit impairment within the domain of interest yet lower cognitive burden overall.

Keywords: Cognitive phenotypes; cognitive rehabilitation.

MeSH terms

  • Cognition
  • Cognition Disorders* / psychology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / psychology
  • Cognitive Training
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / psychology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Retrospective Studies