Remediation of Emotional Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis and Traumatic Brain Injury

Remediation of Emotional Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Piolt Study

This study will examine the efficacy of a clinical intervention for improving emotional processing in individuals with MS and TBI.(1)The main outcome measure will be changes in emotional processing measures from pre to post treatment.

(2)This study will also assess the impact of the emotional processing intervention on changes in pre and post treatment depression and anxiety, as well as fatigue.(3) This study will additionally measure the impact of the emotional processing intervention on cognitive functioning, specifically processing speed, attention and executive abilities. This will be accomplished through the completion of a neuropsychological battery prior to and following the completion of treatment.(4)Finally, the investigators will measure the impact of the intervention on quality of life and social functioning, utilizing a pre and post treatment assessment consisting of measures of self-efficacy, quality of life, functional abilities, and awareness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis or Traumatic Brain Injury
• Fluent in English
• processing speed impairment (based on evaluation)

Exclusion Criteria:

• currently taking steroids and/or benzodiazepines
• prior stroke or neurological diease
• history of significant pyschiatric illness (for example, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis) or a current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, Bipolar Disorder
• significant alcohol or drug abuse history