Treating learning impairments improves memory performance in multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial

This randomized clinincal trial utilized established techniques to improve new learning and memory performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) participants with learning impairment. Participants were 29 individuals with clinincally definite MS with documented learning deficits, randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent eight sessions of the Story Memory Technique (SMT), while the control group participated in eight sessions of memory exercises. Neuropsychological assessment was conducted at baseline, immediately following treatment and 5 weeks later to assess outcome. When stratifying participants by degree of learning deficits, a significant treatment effect was noted. MS participants with moderate-severe impairment in learning showed a significant improvement in learning abilities when compared to controls, (t(19)-3.32, P