Study Protocol: Strategies and Techniques for the Rehabilitation of Cognitive and Motor Deficits in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

MS clinical features vary between patients. In approximately 60% of cases, cognitive deficits are associated with motor disabilities, with consequences on both walking and maintaining balance and cognitive efficiency. Multimodal programs are very infrequent for MS patients and cognitive rehabilitation is not provided by the Italian health system, which only favors access to motor rehabilitation. Dual-task studies showed how motor and cognitive skills are closely associated. Therefore, physiotherapy exercises may favor an indirect improvement in cognition. The aim of this study is to understand which rehabilitative approach may increase both cognitive and motor efficiency, avoiding the waste of time and resources. In this multi-site single-blind parallel controlled clinical trial, we will compare three rehabilitative approaches: cognitive training, motor training and combined cognitive–motor training. We also aim to evaluate: whether self-perception and objective improvement correspond; the impact of each rehabilitation program on patients’ QoL, mood and self-perception; and long-term effects. A total of 60 patients will be randomly assigned to one of the three treatments for two 45-min sessions/week for 12 weeks. All participants will undergo a complete cognitive, motor, clinical assessment together with mood, self-perception, and QoL questionnaires before, immediately after and 6 months after the training period.