Righetti Anna [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.]
Carletto Alessia [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.]
Varalta Valentina [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy; U.O.C. Neuroriabilitazione, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Italy.]
Picelli Alessandro [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy; U.O.C. Neuroriabilitazione, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Italy; Canadian Advances in Neuro‐ Orthopedics for Spasticity Congress (CANOSC), Kingston, Canada.]
Rotundo Giorgia [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.]
Evangelista Elisa [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.]
Ziccardi Stefano [Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Neurology, University of Verona, Italy]
Calabrese Massimiliano [Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Neurology, University of Verona, Italy.]
Smania Nicola [Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy; U.O.C. Neuroriabilitazione, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Italy.]
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the central nervous system, is the leading cause of disability in young people, with early onset of motor and cognitive symptoms. Along with cognitive rehabilitation and combined cognitive-motor trainings, there is evidence suggesting that motor rehabilitation alone may have a beneficial impact on cognitive deficits in people with MS. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are only partially understood [1][2]. The open challenge is to find the optimal combination of motor and cognitive training [3]. The use of technologies allows for intensive, personalized and standardized neurorehabilitation programs [4,5]. This study aims to investigate the effects of three high-tech neurorehabilitation interventions (cognitive, motor and combined) on motor and cognitive functions in MS subjects and to identify the cognitive and motor profiles that benefit most from these rehabilitative interventions.
Patients with relapsing-remitting MS are included (Expanded Disability Status Scale score between 3 and 6). Participants have objective cognitive deficits (neuropsychological tests below the clinical cut-off score, 5th percentile) and no visual/auditory deficits that could compromise treatment. Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to 3 groups: cognitive [60minutes (min) of cognitive training with the Neurotablet®], motor (60min of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with the G-EO System) and combined (30min of cognitive training + 30min RAGT). Each intervention will last 24 sessions, 3 times a week. Participants will be evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) treatment and at a 3-month follow-up (T2) by motor outcomes [Time Up and Go Test (TUG), Motor Dual Task TUG, Cognitive Dual Task TUG, 2 Minutes Walking Test, spatiotemporal parameters by Gait Analysis with Vicon Motion Analysis System Ltd] and cognitive outcomes (The Brief Repeatable Battery and computerized tests).
The protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee (Prog. CESC n° 4257CESC).
In the first six months, 16 participants (15 females and 1 male) were recruited, with an average age of 48.4 ±12.4 years and an average education level of 12.9 ±3.12 years. 5 subjects have been randomized in the cognitive group, 6 in the motor group and 5 in the combined group. All 16 randomized participants underwent T0 assessment. Seven participants underwent T1 assessment, and the remaining are carrying out the rehabilitation interventions.
The current research aims to examine the effects of three high-tech neurorehabilitation interventions on subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS), using cognitive, motor, and combined approaches. The primary objective is to assess the impact of these interventions on participants’ cognitive and motor functions. To date, the limited sample that has finished the rehabilitation protocol hampers any statistical analysis. New recruitments are underway that will allow for results worthy of discussion in the coming months.
