The Effect of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Cognitive Function, Memory, Depression, and Anxiety in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease in young adults. In addition to physical problems, MS is associated with significant psychological effects, such as cognitive, mood, and behavioral deficits. Given the high prevalence of this disorder and effects on cognitive and psychological functions, the aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of cognitive rehabilitation on cognitive function, memory, depression, and anxiety in patients with MS.
Six patients with diagnostic criteria for MS, both men and women with the age between 20 and 40 years, at least high school diploma education and having participation motivation were selected. Research tools were included DASS scale, Wechsler Memory scale, and Wisconsin Card Sorting test. The Patients were trained for cognitive rehabilitation for three months. Clinical Results were compared before and after the treatment, and finally, the obtained data were analyzed.
Cognitive rehabilitation induced significant and considerable improvement in cognitive functions, memory, anxiety, and depression of all patients.
This study suggested the possibility of improvement in the cognitive abilities and psychological health of MS patients by cognitive rehabilitation. This finding emphasizes the necessity of new rehabilitation methods for treatment of patients with MS.