Exploring the Efficacy of a Remote Strategy-Based Intervention for People With Multiple Sclerosis With Everyday...

This pilot study evaluates a remote strategy-based intervention for individuals with multiple sclerosis who experience everyday memory impairments. The intervention can potentially inform cognitive rehabilitation for this population.

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of an intervention (TELE-Self-GEN) to determine whether it can alleviate everyday memory impairments of individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Pretest-posttest.

Community.

Ten adults with multiple sclerosis.

Six synchronous treatment sessions were delivered online via Zoom. The treatment protocol embedded a memory strategy (self-generated learning) within a metacognitive framework, including self-awareness and self-management strategies. The treatment emphasizes when and how self-generation should be used.

Measurements assessed feasibility and participants' satisfaction with the intervention and its delivery method, as well as memory, everyday memory, and functional performance.

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the virtual treatment, highlighting its convenience as a key factor. Treatment resulted in improvements in memory performance, perceived memory ability in daily life, and functional performance.

Results provide initial proof of concept in the utilization of a remotely delivered, strategy-based treatment approach to improve memory performance and functional abilities. The pilot data support a larger randomized clinical trial of the TELE-self-GEN. Plain-Language Summary: The results of this pilot study highlight the promising potential of TELE-self-GEN for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), who face memory challenges every day. This remotely delivered, strategy-based occupational therapy treatment approach, TELE-self-GEN, has the potential to significantly improve functional memory. The study participants reported improvements in their memory performance, perceived memory ability in daily life, and functional performance. These encouraging results serve as a foundation for more extensive clinical trials using TELE-self-GEN for people with MS.