Improving Prospective Memory Via Telehealth

Up to 70% of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) experience cognitive impairment, which can have a significant impact on several aspects of their daily lives. One cognitive domain that has been shown to impact daily functioning, but is understudied in MS, is prospective memory (PM). While there have been successful PM interventions in other clinical populations, to date there has not been a specific PM intervention for PwMS that has been tested in a clinical trial.

The study will be a double-masked randomized feasibility trial, with 18 participants randomized to a PM intervention and 18 participants randomized to an active control (psychoeducation). Participants will meet with an interventionist twice a week for four weeks. Feasibility will be assessed via 1) recruitment, enrollment, and retention; 2) adherence to the treatment; 3) treatment credibility and expectancy; and 4) treatment satisfaction. A preliminary effect size (Cohen's d) will be computed for the group difference using participants' performance on the Memory for Intentions Test, which will be given at baseline (week 1) and post-treatment (week 6). Participants will also complete a battery of neuropsychological measures as part of their baseline and post-treatment assessments.