Brain exercises with coping tips may help people with MS pay attention
HelpedThe short version
Across 5 studies, brain exercises and coping tips improved attention test scores.
- 5
- studies pooled
- 894
- people with multiple sclerosis in 20 trials
- 1 tool
- tested
The review
Who took part
986 people took part in 20 trials: 966 with multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy. They were about 45 years old on average, and 7 in 10 were women.
What they did
Some trials gave brain exercises alone. Others added teaching on ways to work around memory and attention problems. Each group was compared with other treatments or with no treatment.
What happened
Brain exercises with coping tips gave higher attention scores than other groups. Brain exercises alone made no clear difference, and depression, tiredness, anxiety and quality of life did not change clearly. Memory improved in some trials, but most had weaknesses.
What the review found
- Helped
Across 5 studies, brain exercises and coping tips improved attention test scores.
Pooled analysis of 5 studies with 894 people · vs other treatments or no treatment · the authors rated their certainty moderate · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study
How solid is this?
- Summary claims more than the results show
- Whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- Mixes trials with other kinds of study
Source
Neuropsychological rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis (2014)
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009131.pub3 (opens in a new tab)
