Improving prospective memory in persons with multiple sclerosis via telehealth: A randomized feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients often experience prospective memory (PM) deficits, impacting daily functioning.
• Existing cognitive rehabilitation lacks specific interventions for PM in MS.
• The Telehealth PM Intervention (TPMI) combines visual imagery and implementation intentions to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of the Telehealth PM Intervention (TPMI) for individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
• To assess the preliminary efficacy of TPMI in improving prospective memory.
• To gather data for informing future, larger clinical trials.

Main Methods:

• 35 PwMS experiencing PM difficulties were randomized into TPMI (n=17) or control (n=18) groups.
• TPMI involved remote, one-on-one sessions twice weekly for four weeks.
• Objective (Memory for Intentions Test) and subjective (Perceived Deficits Questionnaire) PM measures were used pre- and post-treatment.

Main Results:

• TPMI demonstrated high feasibility with 88.2% completion rate and positive treatment credibility/satisfaction ratings.
• The TPMI group showed a significant improvement in objective time-based prospective memory (p=0.040, d=0.80).
• A significant reduction in time-based errors was observed in the TPMI group compared to controls (p=0.049, d=0.83).

Conclusions:

• The Telehealth PM Intervention (TPMI) is a feasible and well-received remote intervention for PwMS.
• TPMI shows preliminary efficacy in improving objective time-based prospective memory.
• Further investigation in a larger clinical trial is warranted to confirm these findings.