The immediate effect of stroboscopic visual training on information-processing time in people with multiple...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often leads to cognitive, gait, and balance impairments.
• Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) enhances visual and perceptual skills through intermittent vision.
• The impact of SVT on individuals with MS (PwMS) remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immediate effects of SVT on cognitive function, gait, and static balance in PwMS.
• To establish a baseline for future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on SVT in MS.

Main Methods:

• An assessor-blinded, randomized crossover study involving 26 PwMS.
• Participants completed two sessions: SVT (using stroboscopic glasses) and control training (using non-lensed glasses).
• Cognitive function was assessed using computerized software, while gait and balance were measured with wearable accelerometers.

Main Results:

• Information processing speed significantly improved post-SVT compared to baseline (p=0.003).
• No significant changes were observed in other cognitive scores, gait, or balance after SVT.
• No significant differences were found between pre- and post-training measures for the control group.

Conclusions:

• SVT shows potential for improving information processing speed in PwMS.
• Further RCTs are warranted to explore the long-term effects of comprehensive SVT programs on MS-related cognitive deficits.