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Characteristics of MS patients who follow-through with cognitive training
L Hancock1,2,3, J Thelen2, B Roberg2, L Fletcher2, J McGee2, B Baker2, J Bruce2, S Lynch3
1Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States, 2University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States, 3University of Kansas Medical Center, Neurology, Kansas City, KS, United States
Background: Up to 65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience cognitive deficits associated in the disease, and as a result, researchers have implemented cognitive training as a tool to address this problem. However, much like longitudinal interventions with other disease groups, these studies frequently report high rates of attrition. Further investigation is needed in order to identify the characteristics of individuals who will follow-through with a cognitive training intervention.
Objectives: To identify the characteristics of MS patients who will complete a 6-week cognitive training study.
Methods: 73 participants were recruited for a study involving computer-based training in their homes for 30-minutes per day, 6 days of the week, for a 6-week period. The study also involved baseline and follow-up neuropsychological testing sessions. However, only 42 participants completed the study. Baseline data from completers and non-completers were compared on a number of variables, including demographics, MS Quality of Life (MSQOL), and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Digits Backward.
Results: Completers scored higher on Social Functioning (t=-2.01, p=.048) and Overall Quality of Life (t=-2.128, p=.039) on the MSQOL and had higher scores on working memory (digits backward; t=-2.307, p=.024). Completers were equivalent with non-completers in terms of age, education, personality characteristics, length of time with MS, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, there were no differences between completers and non-completers on measures of processing speed or single-trial verbal learning. week, for a 6-week period.
Conclusions: MS patients who reported a higher quality of life and performed better on a measure of working memory were more likely to complete a longitudinal study of cognitive training involving two in-person study appointments and 6-weeks of at-home training. Factors such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and education did not differentiate those more likely to complete or drop-out of the study. In the future, researchers and clinicians should consider utilizing a brief working memory task and a quality of life self-report measure as screening tools to help identify ideal candidates for a cognitive training intervention.
L Hancock1,2,3, J Thelen2, B Roberg2, L Fletcher2, J McGee2, B Baker2, J Bruce2, S Lynch3
1Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States, 2University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States, 3University of Kansas Medical Center, Neurology, Kansas City, KS, United States
Background: Up to 65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience cognitive deficits associated in the disease, and as a result, researchers have implemented cognitive training as a tool to address this problem. However, much like longitudinal interventions with other disease groups, these studies frequently report high rates of attrition. Further investigation is needed in order to identify the characteristics of individuals who will follow-through with a cognitive training intervention.
Objectives: To identify the characteristics of MS patients who will complete a 6-week cognitive training study.
Methods: 73 participants were recruited for a study involving computer-based training in their homes for 30-minutes per day, 6 days of the week, for a 6-week period. The study also involved baseline and follow-up neuropsychological testing sessions. However, only 42 participants completed the study. Baseline data from completers and non-completers were compared on a number of variables, including demographics, MS Quality of Life (MSQOL), and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Digits Backward.
Results: Completers scored higher on Social Functioning (t=-2.01, p=.048) and Overall Quality of Life (t=-2.128, p=.039) on the MSQOL and had higher scores on working memory (digits backward; t=-2.307, p=.024). Completers were equivalent with non-completers in terms of age, education, personality characteristics, length of time with MS, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, there were no differences between completers and non-completers on measures of processing speed or single-trial verbal learning. week, for a 6-week period.
Conclusions: MS patients who reported a higher quality of life and performed better on a measure of working memory were more likely to complete a longitudinal study of cognitive training involving two in-person study appointments and 6-weeks of at-home training. Factors such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and education did not differentiate those more likely to complete or drop-out of the study. In the future, researchers and clinicians should consider utilizing a brief working memory task and a quality of life self-report measure as screening tools to help identify ideal candidates for a cognitive training intervention.