New Software Designed for MS Sufferers to Help Improve Cognition and Memory

You may have heard about the various games and tactics used to combat the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss disorders.  People are often encouraged to constantly test their brains, whether it is through crossword puzzles, trivia games, or other mentally challenging activities.  Now, there is an exciting way to train the brain that can improve cognition and memory in multiple sclerosis patients.  CogniFit Personal Coach is a type of brain training software that provides a baseline assessment of cognitive abilities, which are most affected by aging.  Then, it creates a personal training program for a specific end user, so that no two programs are exactly alike.  It is based on neuro-cognitive research, and during a recent study, the program was shown to increase multiple sclerosis sufferers’ cognition and overall health.

Published in the journal Neuro-Rehabilitation, the study examined the effects of the software on two groups of multiple sclerosis patients.  One group used the CogniFit program for twenty to thirty minutes three times a week for twelve weeks.  The other group, the control group, did not use the system at all.  Those using the CogniFit program showed a remarkable increase in their memory skills, exhibiting a twenty-one percent increase in general memory, a twenty percent increase in visual working memory, and a twenty percent increase in the verbal-auditory working memory.  All of these increases were above and beyond those experienced by the non-training group.  The training group also saw increases in cognitive abilities in naming speed, short term memory, focused attention, and speed of object recall, among others.  What is even more impressive, however, is that almost seventy-one percent of the training group stuck with the program through the completion of twelve weeks.  This is especially important because multiple sclerosis often results in severe fatigue, and many treatment options may be halted due to a person’s overall tiredness.

The Head of Cognitive Science at CogniFit remarked that, “While patients in the cognitive training group were significantly improving vital cognitive functions using an enjoyable cognitive intervention at home, in the control group cognitive growth was often non-existent.”  This software is a very exciting advancement in home-based personalized medicine.  Rather than having to go to a health care professional, people with multiple sclerosis can simply click on the software from the comfort of their own homes, on their own time.  It is also exciting because multiple sclerosis radically alters a person’s cognitive abilities, and to date, there is no cure for the disorder, only treatments to lessen the pain associated with it.  With CogniFit, however, people can actually treat the heart of the condition, which will hopefully increase their quality of life overall.  If you would like to learn more about the software, you can visit www.cognifit.com .