Persons diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can improve their self-awareness skills through task-oriented cognitive rehabilitation.

Researchers from the Kessler Foundation in New Jersey have completed what they say is the first study on self-awareness in MS that includes assessment of online awareness and metacognitive awareness.

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Self-awareness defined as the ability of the individual to identify cognitive problems triggered by brain injury. 

Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti from the Kessler Foundation said the results showed that MS patients assessed their performance more realistically in completing their tasks.

To conduct this research, researchers assessed 18 MS patients and 16 healthy individuals for two types of self-awareness tests.

They tested the abilities of the participants based on their intellectual awareness, metacognitive knowledge of disabilities, online awareness and anticipatory awareness.

Researchers also looked at their self-awareness skills based on their functional performance and quality of life..

Dr. Chiaravalloti believes their research can lead to the understanding of different types of self-awareness. The study can also aid in developing effective assessments and rehabilitation interventions.

She explained the associations between online awareness and task performance probably have implication on cognitive rehabilitation strategies in the MS population.

MS is also known as disseminated sclerosis and encephalomyelitis disseminate.

It is an inflammatory disease that occurs when the insulating covers of nerve cells found in the brain and spinal cord became damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of certain parts of the nervous system.

People with MS experience physical, mental, and psychiatric problems that can be progressive or relapsing.

Symptoms can disappear between attacks but there are permanent neurological problems that can occur as the disease advances.