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Neurological update: cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a common and debilitating symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS). There is limited evidence that disease-modifying therapies are effective in treating cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive rehabilitation is a promising approach to treat cognitive dysfunction in MS, gaining empirical support over the last 10 years. The current review will provide a brief overview of cognitive rehabilitation in MS. Overall, there is evidence that cognitive rehabilitation programs (either restorative or compensatory) are efficacious in treating MS-related cognitive dysfunction. Clinicians should consider this low-cost, low-risk, yet effective treatment approach for their patients.

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Funding

The preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Grant MB-1606-08779 to John DeLuca, and funding by Kessler Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, East Hanover, NJ, 07052, USA

    Michelle H. Chen, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti & John DeLuca

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA

    Michelle H. Chen, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti & John DeLuca

Authors
  1. Michelle H. Chen
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  2. Nancy D. Chiaravalloti
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  3. John DeLuca
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Correspondence to John DeLuca.

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Conflicts of interest

Dr. John DeLuca received consulting fees/honorarium from Biogen, Sanofi—Genzyme, Novartis, Roche and Celgene. He has received grant funding from Biogen, EMD Serono, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti received consulting fees/honorarium from Roche and Akili Interactive Labs. She has received grant funding from the NMSS, CMSC, and the NIH. Dr. Michelle Chen has received grant funding from the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the New Jersey Health Foundation.

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Chen, M.H., Chiaravalloti, N.D. & DeLuca, J. Neurological update: cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 268, 4908–4914 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-021-10618-2

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