Multiple sclerosis researchers study processing speed impact on cognitive training

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Published: April 10, 2015

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

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 multiple sclerosis (MS). The work is published online in the 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 cognitive and everyday functioning. "This evidence supports the need to investigate the influence of processing speed in performance on cognitive interventions," 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 memory 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."