Brain training may help adults with MS pay attention

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   This review combined 20 studies with 982 adults who had multiple sclerosis. About 78 in 100 were women, and average ages in the studies ranged from 33 to 59.

2. 02

   What they did

   Each study gave at least 4 hours of computer exercises that changed to fit each person. The other groups had no contact, were still waiting to start, or did an easier task or education about MS. Some studies also added strategy training, physiotherapy or counselling.

3. 03

   What happened

   Attention and overall thinking improved more than in the other groups, and other thinking skills and memory improved a little. Mood, anxiety, quality of life, daily living, fatigue and working memory showed no clear change. Gains faded once training stopped, and most studies were at high risk of bias.

What the review found

1. HelpedFocus

   Across 20 studies, brain training helped people pay attention more than other groups did.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 20 studies with 982 people · vs people who got no contact, easier tasks or education · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

2. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 20 studies, brain training improved overall thinking more than other groups did.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 20 studies with 982 people · vs people who got no contact, easier tasks or education · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

3. No differenceOther outcomes

   Across 9 studies, brain training did no better than other groups for mood, worry or quality of life.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 9 studies · vs people who got no contact, easier tasks or education · they rated themselves · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; signs that small negative studies went unpublished; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

4. No differenceOther outcomes

   Across 3 studies, brain training did no better than other groups for daily living.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 3 studies · vs people who got no contact, easier tasks or education · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

Source