Try personality coaching before cognitive rehabilitation training for MS

Try personality coaching before cognitive rehabilitation training for MS | stella

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a 12-week coaching program called Conscientiousness Coaching can help people with multiple sclerosis get better results from cognitive rehabilitation—training designed to improve thinking, memory, and focus. People with MS often experience cognitive problems that affect daily life, and while cognitive rehabilitation helps many patients, the improvements vary widely. This study is investigating whether coaching people to be more goal-directed and organized before they start rehabilitation training might boost their results.

Cognitive problems are common in MS and significantly impact quality of life, but current cognitive rehabilitation doesn't work equally well for everyone. Recent research suggests that helping people become more goal-directed and organized might enhance the benefits of rehabilitation, so researchers want to test whether this coaching approach can help more patients improve their thinking and memory skills.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
you are between 18 and 65 years old
you have not had an MS relapse for at least 3 months before joining
you have been on a stable MS disease-modifying therapy for at least 2 months
you speak Dutch, English, or German fluently

You likely don't qualify if…

you already score very high on conscientiousness (being organized and goal-directed)
you have a history of brain injury or another neurological condition besides MS
you have a serious psychiatric disorder that affects your thinking or daily life
you take medications or use substances that affect your cognitive function
you cannot safely have an MRI scan (if you are in the Dutch part of the study)

What participation looks like

You would be randomly assigned to either receive the conscientiousness coaching or a sham (comparison) coaching program—both delivered on a smartphone app that you use at home for 12 weeks. Your group would also have brief sessions with a coach to explain the program. After the 12 weeks, both groups then participate in 6 weeks of cognitive rehabilitation training. Throughout the study, you would complete three assessment sessions with thinking and memory tests, and some participants will also have brain imaging. The entire study spans about 6 months.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 1, 2026 · Not medical advice

Can personality coaching improve cognitive rehabilitation for MS?

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(3 sites)