The Effect of Cognitive Exercise in Addition to Physical Exercise on Upper Extremity Functions, Balance and Cognitive Functions in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive, demyelinating disease characterized by myelin sheath damage in the central nervous system that affects more than 2.5 million people worldwide and is more common in young adults aged 20-40 years, especially in women. Like physical impairments, cognitive impairments are a common clinical finding in individuals with MS, both in the early and late stages of the disease. Individuals with MS with cognitive impairment have more difficulty than those without cognitive impairment in participating in social and occupational activities, finding a job, working and performing routine household activities. It is also known that there is a high percentage of individuals with MS with upper extremity involvement in the early stages of the disease. Functional problems in the upper extremities lead to restriction of activity and participation in individuals with MS. Although it is stated that there is a high rate of upper extremity problems in individuals with MS, it is seen that they are not sufficiently understood and analyzed. When the literature is examined; evidence-based studies examining the effect of cognitive exercise on motor functions in MS in addition to physical exercises are quite limited. In this context, the subject of this study is to examine the effect of cognitive rehabilitation on upper extremity functions, balance and cognitive functions in individuals with MS.
• Being between the ages of 18 and 65
• A definitive diagnosis of MS by a neurologist
• Having an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score below 5.5
• No cognitive problems (Mini Mental Test score of 24 and above),
• Graduated from at least primary school
• No change in medical treatment in the last 6 months,
• Not having had an attack in the last 3 months and not using pulse steroid therapy
• Volunteering.