According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, around 50 percent of Multiple Sclerosis patients will have trouble with their memories. One out of three amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients will have cognitive impairments. Memory loss can be distressing to patients, though it can be improved or retained through games, exercises and strategies.
Sensory Stimulation
Health website the Help Guide suggests that sensory stimulation is one way that people suffering from memory loss can retain their cognitive functioning. Doing routine behaviors in an uncommon way stimulates brain connections that are not often used. For example, if you are right-handed, try brushing your hair or teeth with your left hand. An exercise like this will activate areas in the brain that are not used often.
"Neurobics" Exercise
The Help Guide also says that taking on challenging and uncommon tasks will give your brain a workout. Dr. Lawrence C. Katz, creator of a neurobics website suggests that your neurobic workout should be interesting and potentially frustrating. Try writing with your nondominant hand, for instance. Break a routine by driving to work in a completely new way, combine your senses by eating something sweet while smelling an onion, or just do something different for the day or weekend, such as go on a camping trip.
Self-generation
In 2008, a study at Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Center in West Orange, New Jersey, published by the National Institute of Health's PubMed website, indicating that self-generation can increase memory function in patients with cognitive impairment. Self-generation occurs when a person thinks of a word or information on her own rather than being provided the same information by another source. Self-generation was found to increase future recall and memory, and using self-generation techniques may help MS or ALS patients.
Memory Games
Memory games can also help patients with MS or ALS recall information. Dr. Shlomo Breznitz founded a game called "CogniFit," which has been found to increase memory in patients with cognitive impairment. The software uses personalized data to challenge and stretch the patient's brain while not frustrating him by giving tasks that are too difficult for the individual. MS Active Source says that other games could improve memory, such as video games, crossword puzzles, board games or card games. These games can help you regain a sense of control over your concentration and memory.
Strategies to Help
Other ways to help your memory, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, include organizing yourself better by writing down information on to-do lists or day calendars, using alarms and timers, eliminating distractions such as the television or radio and doing each task one at a time. By using strategies such as these, you are actively helping yourself stay focused and prepared for each activity you take on.
References
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: You Can...Remember
- Medical News Today: Cognitive Impairment Appears To Be Common In ALS Patients
- HelpGuide: How to Improve Your Memory
- Neurobics: Keep Your Brain Alive
- PubMed: Self-generation to Improve Llearning and Memory of Functional Activities
- The Free Library: CogniFit Coaches Multiple Sclerosis Patients to Improve Memory and Cognition
