Novel Rehabilitation Approach to Restore Motor and Cognitive Abilities in People with Progressive MS

Start Term
End Term
Affiliation(s)
University of Ottawa
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Ontario
Researcher(s)
Dr. Lara Pilutti
Research Priorities
Cognition and mental health
Impact Goal(s)
Enhance Well-being

Funding Amount: 99,635 Euros
 

  • Summary:

    Mobility and cognitive symptoms are common and challenging to manage in people with progressive MS. Rehabilitation has been the primary approach for managing these symptoms however, there has been limited success in people with progressive MS.

  • Dr. Lara Pilutti and team will develop and test a new rehabilitation approach that provides task- specific training combined with non-invasive brain stimulation and/or aerobic exercise to improve the brain’s ability to restructure and relearn (also called neuroplasticity).
  • This research has the potential to develop a new rehabilitation approach to effectively manage mobility and cognitive symptoms and improve everyday function in people with progressive MS.

Project Description:

In progressive MS, mobility and cognitive symptoms can significantly impact one’s ability to perform everyday tasks. Current rehabilitation approaches are not effective in managing these symptoms for various reasons (i.e., current approaches lack input from those with lived experience; people with progressive MS have more limited potential for ‘neuroplasticity’ – the brain’s ability to restructure and relearn; and successful symptom rehabilitation requires ongoing and long-term practice).

As part of the Progressive MS Alliance’s Innovations in Well-being award, Dr. Lara Pilutti and team will develop and test a new rehabilitation approach that will combine non-invasive brain stimulation and/or aerobic exercise with task-specific training to optimize the potential for symptomatic and functional benefits in people with progressive MS. The researchers propose that brain stimulation or aerobic exercise will enhance brain neuroplasticity while task-specific training will target the elements needed to successfully perform daily tasks that people with progressive MS have identified to be most important for them. This study will also include coaching support to help participants stay motivated and engaged throughout the program.

Potential Impact:

This research has the potential to develop an innovative and personalized rehabilitation approach to improve mobility, cognition, and daily function in people with progressive MS.

Project Status: In Progress