Contributions
Abstract: EP1848
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - 35 Enhancing CNS plasticity
Introduction: Previous studies on cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS) are promising, both for cognitive training as well as exercise. Here, we examined the effect of a dance-intervention on cognition and hippocampal activation in MS patients.
Methods: Nineteen MS patients (mean age 44.53 years ± 8.52; 18 females) participated in a structured dance-intervention. Patients were eligible for participation if they met the criteria for mild cognitive impairment (i.e. a score between 1 and 2 SD below norm scores on at least one neuropsychological test or a score of ≥2 SD below norm scores on exactly one test), had no signs of depression and had an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of ≤6.0. Patients followed two dance-sessions per week (one hour per session) for eight weeks. Before and after the dance-intervention neuropsychological testing (parallel versions) and structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning (episodic memory task) at 3T were performed. Subjective cognitive functioning was measured using the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ). Data were analyzed using Paired Sample T-tests.
Results: At follow-up, patients improved on tests for verbal learning and memory (Δscore=6.16;
p< 0.001), information processing speed (Δscore=3.74; p=0.017), attention (Δscore=5.17; p=0.033) and working memory (Δscore=1.47; p=0.039). The MSNQ score decreased with 3.84 points (p=0.035). On MRI, no structural changes were present, while increased activation of the ventral stream (including the hippocampal area) and frontal areas was observed. Decreased activation was seen in the occipital pole and lingual gyrus (all analyses were cluster-corrected, Z≥2.3, p≤0.05).
Conclusion: Our preliminary results show promising effects of a dance-intervention in MS patients. Improved cognitive functioning was observed, subjective cognitive complaints were reduced and brain/hippocampal activation changed significantly. We do however need to interpret these results with caution, since data collection of patients in the control condition is not yet finished.
Disclosure:
M. Huiskamp: nothing to disclose
Q. van Geest: nothing to disclose
D. Visser: nothing to disclose
M. R. van Lingen: nothing to disclose
N. Braaksma: nothing to disclose
M. H. P. C. Vlemmix: nothing to disclose
Y. D. van der Werf: dr. van der Werf serves on the scientific advisory board of the Dutch MS research foundation.
J. J. G. Geurts: Prof. Geurts is an editor of Multiple Sclerosis Journal, a member of the editorial boards of BMC Neurology, Neurology and Frontiers in Neurology, and serves as a consultant for Biogen and Genzyme.
H. E. Hulst: H.E. Hulst receives research support from the Dutch MS Research Foundation, grant number 08-648 and serves as a consultant for Genzyme, Merck-Serono, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Novartis.
Abstract: EP1848
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - 35 Enhancing CNS plasticity
Introduction: Previous studies on cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS) are promising, both for cognitive training as well as exercise. Here, we examined the effect of a dance-intervention on cognition and hippocampal activation in MS patients.
Methods: Nineteen MS patients (mean age 44.53 years ± 8.52; 18 females) participated in a structured dance-intervention. Patients were eligible for participation if they met the criteria for mild cognitive impairment (i.e. a score between 1 and 2 SD below norm scores on at least one neuropsychological test or a score of ≥2 SD below norm scores on exactly one test), had no signs of depression and had an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of ≤6.0. Patients followed two dance-sessions per week (one hour per session) for eight weeks. Before and after the dance-intervention neuropsychological testing (parallel versions) and structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning (episodic memory task) at 3T were performed. Subjective cognitive functioning was measured using the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ). Data were analyzed using Paired Sample T-tests.
Results: At follow-up, patients improved on tests for verbal learning and memory (Δscore=6.16;
p< 0.001), information processing speed (Δscore=3.74; p=0.017), attention (Δscore=5.17; p=0.033) and working memory (Δscore=1.47; p=0.039). The MSNQ score decreased with 3.84 points (p=0.035). On MRI, no structural changes were present, while increased activation of the ventral stream (including the hippocampal area) and frontal areas was observed. Decreased activation was seen in the occipital pole and lingual gyrus (all analyses were cluster-corrected, Z≥2.3, p≤0.05).
Conclusion: Our preliminary results show promising effects of a dance-intervention in MS patients. Improved cognitive functioning was observed, subjective cognitive complaints were reduced and brain/hippocampal activation changed significantly. We do however need to interpret these results with caution, since data collection of patients in the control condition is not yet finished.
Disclosure:
M. Huiskamp: nothing to disclose
Q. van Geest: nothing to disclose
D. Visser: nothing to disclose
M. R. van Lingen: nothing to disclose
N. Braaksma: nothing to disclose
M. H. P. C. Vlemmix: nothing to disclose
Y. D. van der Werf: dr. van der Werf serves on the scientific advisory board of the Dutch MS research foundation.
J. J. G. Geurts: Prof. Geurts is an editor of Multiple Sclerosis Journal, a member of the editorial boards of BMC Neurology, Neurology and Frontiers in Neurology, and serves as a consultant for Biogen and Genzyme.
H. E. Hulst: H.E. Hulst receives research support from the Dutch MS Research Foundation, grant number 08-648 and serves as a consultant for Genzyme, Merck-Serono, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Novartis.