Cognitively stimulating activities in multiple sclerosis: A qualitative feasibility study.

Introduction: Some people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) exhibit high cognitive reserve (CR), potentially mitigating cognitive decline. Cognitively stimulating activities (CSAs) contribute to CR, suggesting that interventions entailing CSAs may enhance cognitive function in MS.

Objectives/aims: To evaluate the feasibility of an intervention designed to increase CSA participation (e.g., reading, writing, language learning).

Methods: Participants were interviewed after a 12-week intervention in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were selected based on prespecified criteria to ensure sample diversity. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach.

Results: 14 participants were interviewed. The intervention was deemed feasible and acceptable by participants. Benefits included subjective cognitive improvements, increased impairment awareness, and engagement in compensatory strategies. Some reported indirect benefits, including improvements in mood and physical functioning. Barriers included a lack of training structure, technical aspects of the intervention, busy schedules, and guilt from not strictly adhering to protocol. Barriers were most prevalent in participants with progressive MS, younger age, busy schedules, and high pre-intervention activity levels.

Conclusion: An individualized intervention to increase CSAs in pwMS is feasible. Future interventions could benefit from including people with low to medium participation in CSAs and should consider implementing measures of progress along the way to maintain motivation.