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It's a good rule to follow. Even minor cog issues can have major consequences. It's not worth the risk. - D
Distraction adds to the cognitive burden in multiple sclerosis
Viral P Patel Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Aaron Zambrana Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Lisa AS Walker Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada/University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada/Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Nathan Herrmann Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Anthony Feinstein⇑ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
•Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) causes numerous limitations in activities of daily living.
Objectives: To develop an improved method of cognitive assessment in people with MS using novel real-world distracters.
Methods: A sample of 99 people with MS and 55 demographically matched healthy controls underwent testing with the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) and a modified version of the computerized Symbol Digit Modalities Test (c-SDMT). Half of the subjects completed the c-SDMT with built-in real-world distracters and half without.
Results: The mean time on the c-SDMT was significantly greater in MS subjects than healthy controls for both distracter (p = 0.001) and non-distracter (p < 0.001) versions. Significantly more MS subjects were impaired on the c-SDMT with distracters than the traditional SDMT (47.1% vs 30.3%, p = 0.04). There were no differences in impairment between the c-SDMT with and without distracters (47.1% vs 37.5%, p = 0.34). The distracter version had a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 88% in detecting global cognitive impairment.
Conclusions: The incorporation of distracters improves the sensitivity of a validated computerized version of the SDMT relative to the non-distracter and traditional versions and offers a quick and easy means of detecting cognitive impairment in people with MS.
Distraction adds to the cognitive burden in multiple sclerosis
Viral P Patel Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Aaron Zambrana Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Lisa AS Walker Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada/University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada/Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Nathan Herrmann Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Anthony Feinstein⇑ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
•Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) causes numerous limitations in activities of daily living.
Objectives: To develop an improved method of cognitive assessment in people with MS using novel real-world distracters.
Methods: A sample of 99 people with MS and 55 demographically matched healthy controls underwent testing with the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) and a modified version of the computerized Symbol Digit Modalities Test (c-SDMT). Half of the subjects completed the c-SDMT with built-in real-world distracters and half without.
Results: The mean time on the c-SDMT was significantly greater in MS subjects than healthy controls for both distracter (p = 0.001) and non-distracter (p < 0.001) versions. Significantly more MS subjects were impaired on the c-SDMT with distracters than the traditional SDMT (47.1% vs 30.3%, p = 0.04). There were no differences in impairment between the c-SDMT with and without distracters (47.1% vs 37.5%, p = 0.34). The distracter version had a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 88% in detecting global cognitive impairment.
Conclusions: The incorporation of distracters improves the sensitivity of a validated computerized version of the SDMT relative to the non-distracter and traditional versions and offers a quick and easy means of detecting cognitive impairment in people with MS.
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