Cognitive dysfunction

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  • Estimates of prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in MS range from 40-70%. No correlation exists with the degree of physical disability, and cognitive dysfunction may occur early in the course of disease. This complication of MS can be a significant problem affecting family and social relationships, as well as employment. Areas of cognition affected include comprehension and use of speech, attention, memory, visual perception, planning, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning.

     

  • Treatment approaches for cognitive dysfunction include cognitive retraining and use of compensatory strategies. Cognitive retraining involves use of repetitive drills and mentally stimulating exercises designed to strengthen those areas of cognition that are weak. Compensatory strategies emphasize coping methods or organizational skills to help the individual use his strengths to compensate for areas of relative weakness, including such strategies as maintaining a consistent routine, making lists, keeping a daily planner, and organizing the home or work environment.

     

  • In providing education on MS management to patients with cognitive impairment, it is important to involve family or caregivers in training, provide step-by-step instructions, and present information in both a visual and verbal format. New topics should be presented at times when fatigue is less likely to be an issue.
 

 

                  

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Veronica Davidson/ mommyv : founder and owner of Friends With MS.com.   If your interested in information about MS please  Email me!  Or you can check out our yahoo newsgroup and read all of our previous postings.  All web links are on the Home page!