COMPUTER-ASSISTED RETRAINING OF ATTENTIONAL IMPAIRMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Objective-To evaluate the efficacy of a computer based retraining of s pecific impairments of four different attentional domains in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods-Twenty two outpatients with multiple sclerosis received consecutively a specific training comprising 12 ses sions in each of the two most impaired attention functions. The baseli ne of attentional deficits, the performance after each training period , and the course of performance in the next nine weeks was assessed by a computerised attention test battery. Additionally, the impact of th e training on daily functioning was evaluated with a self rating inven tory. Results-Subgroups of patients with multiple sclerosis showing di fferent patterns of attentional impairment could be separated. Signifi cant improvements of performance could almost exclusively be achieved by the specific training programmes. The increase of performance remai ned stable for art least nine weeks. For quality of life patients repo rted less attention related problems in everyday situations. Conclusio ns-In patients with multiple sclerosis it seems worthwhile to assess a ttentional functions in detail and to train specific attention impairm ents selectively.