Intersecting kinematic encoding and readout of intention in autism.

Observers with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) find it difficult to read intentions from movements. However, the computational bases of these difficulties are unknown. Do these difficulties reflect an intention readout deficit, or are they more likely rooted in kinematic (dis-)similarities between typical and ASD kinematics? We combined motion tracking, psychophysics, and computational analyses to uncover single-trial intention readout computations in typically developing (TD) children (n = 35) and children with ASD (n = 35) who observed actions performed by TD children and children with ASD. Average intention discrimination performance was above chance for TD observers but not for ASD observers. However, single-trial analysis showed that both TD and ASD observers read single-trial variations in movement kinematics. TD readers were better able to identify intention-informative kinematic features during observation of TD actions; conversely, ASD readers were better able to identify intention-informative features during observation of ASD actions. Crucially, while TD observers were generally able to extract the intention information encoded in movement kinematics, those with autism were unable to do so. These results extend existing conceptions of mind reading in ASD by suggesting that intention reading difficulties reflect both an interaction failure, rooted in kinematic dissimilarity between TD and ASD kinematics (at the level of feature identification), and an individual readout deficit (at the level of information extraction), accompanied by an overall reduced sensitivity of intention readout to single-trial variations in movement kinematics.

Testing Dynamic Balance in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Correlational Study between Standard Posturography and Robotic-Assistive Device.

BACKGROUND: Robotic devices are known to provide pivotal parameters to assess motor functions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as dynamic balance. However, there is still a lack of validation studies comparing innovative technologies with standard solutions. Thus, this study's aim was to compare the postural assessment of fifty people with MS (PwMS) during dynamic tasks performed with the gold standard EquiTest® and the robotic platform hunova®, using Center of Pressure (COP)-related parameters and global balance indexes. METHODS: Pearson's ρ correlations were run for each COP-related measure and the global balance index was computed from EquiTest® and hunova® in both open (EO) and closed-eyes (EC) conditions. RESULTS: Considering COP-related parameters, all correlations were significant in both EO (0.337 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.653) and EC (0.344 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.668). Furthermore, Pearson's analysis of global balance indexes revealed relatively strong for visual and vestibular, and strong for somatosensory system associations (ρ = 0.573; ρ = 0.494; ρ = 0.710, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm the use of hunova® as a valid device for dynamic balance assessment in MS, suggesting that such a robotic platform could allow for a more sensitive assessment of balance over time, and thus a better evaluation of the effectiveness of personalized treatment, thereby improving evidence-based clinical practice.

Work Difficulties in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

PURPOSE: This study identifies potential predictors of unemployment and describes specific work difficulties and their determinants in a subgroup of employed people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The specific work difficulties were evaluated using a validated tool that measures the impact of respondents' symptoms and of workplace features. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Italy during 2021-2022. The subjects included were adults (18-65 years) with a diagnosis of MS, currently employed or unemployed. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between each potential determinant and employment status, while linear regression models were used to determine the association between determinants and specific work difficulties. RESULTS: The main risk factors associated with a higher risk of being unemployed were being older, living in the South of Italy/islands, and having a higher disability level, while protective factors against unemployment were having a high level of education and 'stable' employment (an open-ended contract). Fatigue was found to be associated with all work difficulties analyzed; mood disorders emerged as the main predictors of mental health-related work difficulties; level of disability and comorbidity significantly impacted physical health-related ones, and a good quality of life was found to improve both workplace-related and mental health-related difficulties at work. CONCLUSION: Identifying the most significant difficulties is a crucial step in the development of vocational rehabilitation interventions tailored to maximize the ability of PwMS to handle their job-related duties and demands.

Focus on neglected features of cognitive rehabilitation in MS: Setting and mode of the treatment.

Cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS) aims at reducing patients' cognitive impairments, improving their awareness and ability to take cognitive difficulties into account in their daily living. However, at this moment, more high-quality randomized trials are needed to draw conclusion about the effectiveness of cognitive interventions in MS. Although existing studies provide clear descriptions of intervention key ingredients (e.g. targeted cognitive domain as well as treatment frequency and duration) and the practical details needed to manage these key elements (e.g. restorative approaches, compensatory strategies, or environmental modifications), other crucial aspects received less attention in rehabilitation research. The aim of this topical review is to try to elucidate some critical issues that were only partly addressed and analyzed by the scientific literature: setting (center-based vs home-based) and mode (individual vs group) of the cognitive rehabilitation treatment.

Italian validation of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ).

INTRODUCTION: Arm and hand function deficits are commonly in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) is a novel self-administered instrument specifically developed to evaluate upper limb function in MS. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the AMSQ into Italian and to assess its psychometric properties in PwMS. Validity (structural, construct, and known-groups) and reliability (internal consistency, test-retest, and measurement error) were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2017 to February 2018, a prospective cohort of PwMS among those followed as outpatients at the Rehabilitation Services of the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society (AISM) of Genoa, Padua, and Vicenza was involved in the study. Construct validity of AMSQ was determined by examining correlations with the Italian version of ABILHAND, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). RESULTS: A total of 234 PwMS were enrolled. The mean AMSQ total score was 67.3 (SD = 38.4). Factor analysis results suggested one factor. As expected, moderate to high correlation coefficients were found between AMSQ and ABILHAND (- 0.79), MFIS (0.50) and its subsets, and FIM (- 0.60) and its subsets involving upper limb functioning. PwMS with higher EDSS reported worse total score of AMSQ than patients with low disability. The internal consistency of the 31 items was high (Cronbach's α, 0.98). Test-retest reliability, as measured with ICC, was 0.96 (95% IC, 0.93-0.98), and measurement error was about 8.3 points showing good reliability. DISCUSSION: AMSQ has been adapted and validated, it is a reliable questionnaire for Italian PwMS.

Beyond center-based testing: Understanding and improving functioning with wearable technology in MS.

Wearable sensors are designed to be worn on the body or embedded into portable devices (e.g. smartphones and smartwatches), allowing continuous patient-based monitoring, objective outcomes measuring, and feedback delivering on daily-life activities. Within the medicine domain, there has been a rapid increase in the development, testing, and use of wearable technologies especially in the context of neurological diseases. Although wearables represent promising tools also in multiple sclerosis (MS), the research on their application in MS is still ongoing, and further studies are required to assess their reliability and accuracy to monitor body functions and disability in people with MS (pwMS). Here, we provided a comprehensive overview of the opportunities, potential challenges, and limitations of the wearable technology use in MS. In particular, we classified previous findings within this field into macro-categories, considered crucial for disease management: assessment, monitoring, intervention, advice, and education. Given the increasing pivotal role played by wearables, current literature suggests that for pwMS, the time is right to shift from a center-based traditional therapeutic paradigm toward a personalized patient-based disease self-management. On this way, we present two ongoing initiatives aimed at implementing a continuous monitoring of pwMS and, consequently, providing timely and appropriate care interventions.

Evaluating Cognitive-Motor Interference in Multiple Sclerosis: A Technology-Based Approach.

BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently present both cognitive and motor impairments, so it is reasonable to assume they may have difficulties in executing dual-tasks (DT). The aim of the present study is to identify novel technology-based parameters to assess cognitive-motor interference (CMI) in PwMS. In particular, we focused on the definition of dual-task cost (DTC) measures using wearable and portable tools such as insoles and mobile apps. METHODS: All participants underwent a verbal fluency task (cognitive single-task, ST), a motor ST of walking, and a combination of these tasks (DT). Number of words uttered in the cognitive ST and steps recorded by insoles were used to calculate the motor and cognitive DTC. RESULTS: The number of steps strongly correlated with the walked meters for both single- (r = 0.88, p < 0.05) and dual- (r = 0.91, p < 0.05) tasks. Motor but not cognitive performances significantly worsened during DT. Over the cognitive ST and DT, the number of pronounced words progressively decreased, probably due to the activation of different cognitive processes. Cognitive efforts could be the cause of cognitive task prioritization. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings promote the use of low-cost devices to assess CMI easily in the clinical context and to detect ecologically valid DT impairments.

Profile and burden of the family caregiver: the caring experience in multiple sclerosis. An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The broad implications of caring for a family member with a chronic medical condition, such as MS, can lead caregivers to experience a high burden of care. The aim of the study was to describe profile of MS caregivers and their burden and to explore potential factors influencing this burden. METHODS: 200 family caregivers of a person with MS completed survey questionnaires across a cross-sectional study. Many information were collected: caregiver socio-demographic and health-related data, caregiving activities, knowledge of MS, coping strategies, mood, social support received and care recipient information. Caregiving burden was measured by the ZBI (Zarit Burden Interview). The extent to which the variables explained caregiver burden was analyzed using a hierarchical approach. RESULTS: 68% of the caregivers reported a perceived burden of care (ZBI score > 20). Our results show that physical and mental related-health variables are important predictive factors of the care burden, explaining much of the observed variance (40.9%). CONCLUSION: Family caregivers in MS continue to make up the shortfall produce by national health and welfare systems. We highlighted the importance of good physical and mental health in decreasing perceived burden. Working to alleviate psychological distress through mechanisms focus on reducing worries and perceived burden may be a valid approach.

The role of sensory systems in the association between balance and walking in people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: In Multiple Sclerosis, it has been demonstrated that balance is related to performances in walking tasks at different levels of complexity. However, it is unknown how the different sensory systems involved in balance control contribute to walking. This observational study investigates the associations between somatosensory, vestibular, and visual systems and measures of self-reported walking and walking capacity at different complexity levels (i.e. low, medium, and high). METHODS: People with MS with EDSS<6 were assessed through the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), 12-Item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG), and Six-Spot-Step-Test (SSST). T25FW, TUG and SSST are measures of low, medium and high walking capacity, respectively. RESULTS: Forty-five PwMS were enrolled (EDSS: 3.4 ± 1.3). Capacity/ability walking measures were moderate-to-highly significantly associated (p < 0.01). Balance measures from SOT showed significant correlation (p < 0.05) between vestibular system and all the walking measures; between visual system and T25FW, SSST and MSWS-12; between the degree to which the patient relies on the visual system to maintain balance with conflicting visual surroundings information (VIS PREF) and T25FW and TUG. In the multivariate analyses, only VIS PREF significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with T25FW (std. Beta=0.42) and TUG (std. Beta=0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular and visual systems are associated with walking capacity. However, tasks with higher complexity levels require more visual attention towards ground obstacles, as often seen in real-life activities, whereas simpler walking tasks seem to require visual attention towards the surroundings.

Mobile Health App (DIGICOG-MS) for Self-Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Instrument Validation and Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) apps have proven useful for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, easy-to-use digital solutions are now strongly required to assess and monitor cognitive impairment, one of the most disturbing symptoms in MS that is experienced by almost 43% to 70% of people with MS. Therefore, we developed DIGICOG-MS (Digital assessment of Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis), a smartphone- and tablet-based mHealth app to self-assess cognitive impairment in MS. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the validity and usability of the novel mHealth app with a sample of people with MS. METHODS: DIGICOG-MS includes 4 digital tests assumed to evaluate the most affected cognitive domains in MS (visuospatial memory [VSM], verbal memory [VM], semantic fluency [SF], and information processing speed [IPS]) and inspired by traditional paper-based tests that assess the same cognitive functions (10/36 Spatial Recall Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Word List Generation, Symbol Digit Modalities Test). Participants were asked to complete both digital and traditional assessments in 2 separate sessions. Convergent validity was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient to determine the strength of the associations between digital and traditional tests. To test the app's reliability, the agreement between 2 repeated measurements was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Usability of DIGICOG-MS was evaluated using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) administered at the conclusion of the digital session. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 92 people with MS (60 women) followed as outpatients at the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society (AISM) Rehabilitation Service of Genoa (Italy). They had a mean age of 51.38 (SD 11.36) years, education duration of 13.07 (SD 2.74) years, disease duration of 12.91 (SD 9.51) years, and a disability level (Expanded Disability Status Scale) of 3.58 (SD 1.75). Relapsing-remitting MS was most common (68/92, 74%), followed by secondary progressive (15/92, 16%) and primary progressive (9/92, 10%) courses. Pearson correlation analyses indicated significantly strong correlations for VSM, VM, SF, and IPS (all P<.001), with r values ranging from 0.58 to 0.78 for all cognitive domains. Test-retest reliability of the mHealth app was excellent (ICCs>0.90) for VM and IPS and good for VSM and SF (ICCs>0.80). Moreover, the SUS score averaged 84.5 (SD 13.34), and the mean total MAUQ score was 104.02 (SD 17.69), suggesting that DIGICOG-MS was highly usable and well appreciated. CONCLUSIONS: The DIGICOG-MS tests were strongly correlated with traditional paper-based evaluations. Furthermore, people with MS positively evaluated DIGICOG-MS, finding it highly usable. Since cognitive impairment poses major limitations for people with MS, these findings open new paths to deploy digital cognitive tests for MS and further support the use of a novel mHealth app for cognitive self-assessment by people with MS in clinical practice.

Robotic systems for upper-limb rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: a SWOT analysis and the synergies with virtual and augmented environments.

The robotics discipline is exploring precise and versatile solutions for upper-limb rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). People with MS can greatly benefit from robotic systems to help combat the complexities of this disease, which can impair the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). In order to present the potential and the limitations of smart mechatronic devices in the mentioned clinical domain, this review is structured to propose a concise SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis of robotic rehabilitation in MS. Through the SWOT Analysis, a method mostly adopted in business management, this paper addresses both internal and external factors that can promote or hinder the adoption of upper-limb rehabilitation robots in MS. Subsequently, it discusses how the synergy with another category of interaction technologies - the systems underlying virtual and augmented environments - may empower Strengths, overcome Weaknesses, expand Opportunities, and handle Threats in rehabilitation robotics for MS. The impactful adaptability of these digital settings (extensively used in rehabilitation for MS, even to approach ADL-like tasks in safe simulated contexts) is the main reason for presenting this approach to face the critical issues of the aforementioned SWOT Analysis. This methodological proposal aims at paving the way for devising further synergistic strategies based on the integration of medical robotic devices with other promising technologies to help upper-limb functional recovery in MS.

Cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: Three digital ingredients to address current and future priorities.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological chronic disease with autoimmune demyelinating lesions and one of the most common disability causes in young adults. People with MS (PwMS) experience cognitive impairments (CIs) and clinical evidence shows their presence during all MS stages even in the absence of other symptoms. Cognitive rehabilitation (CR) aims at reducing CI and improving PwMS' awareness of cognitive difficulties faced in their daily living. More defined cognitive profiles, easier treatment access and the need to transfer intervention effects into everyday life activities are aims of utmost relevance for CR in MS. Currently, advanced technologies may pave the way to rethink CR in MS to address the priority of more personalized and effective, accessible and ecological interventions. For this purpose, digital twins, tele-cognitive-rehabilitation and metaverse are the main candidate digital ingredients. Based on scientific evidences, we propose digital twin technology to enhance MS cognitive phenotyping; tele-cognitive-rehabilitation to make feasible the cognitive intervention access to a larger number of PwMS; and metaverse to represent the best choice to train real-world dual- and multi-tasking deficits in virtual daily life environments. Moreover, multi-domain high-frequency big-data collected through tele-cognitive-assessment, tele-cognitive-rehabilitation, and metaverse may be merged to refine artificial intelligence algorithms and obtain increasingly detailed patient's cognitive profile in order to enhance intervention personalization. Here, we present how these digital ingredients and their integration could be crucial to address the current and future needs of CR facilitating the early detection of subtle CI and the delivery of increasingly effective treatments.

Development and psychometric properties of a self-assessed knowledge questionnaire for caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis (CareKoMS): a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge about multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for those who provide care and support as caregivers. However, despite the key benefits of acquiring relevant information to properly assume the caregiving role, caregivers' knowledge of MS is poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Caregivers' Knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis (CareKoMS), a self-assessed questionnaire, to test MS knowledge in caregivers of people with MS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Two-hundred caregivers (female: 49%) were asked to self-administer the 32-item CareKoMS questionnaire; they had a median age of 60 years (IQR: 51-68 years) and a medium-high educational level (36.5% primary school and 63.5% high school/university). Item analysis using item difficulty index, item discrimination index, Kuder-Richardson-20 coefficient and item-total correlation were assessed. Once excluding less useful items, reliability, floor and ceiling effects and construct validity were calculated on the 21-item CareKoMS final version. RESULTS: Psychometric evaluation indicates that the 21-item CareKoMS was a good questionnaire with no ceiling or floor effects registered. Internal consistency was satisfactory and acceptable as indicated by the mean value of 0.74 of Kuder-Richardson-20. No ceiling or floor effects have been observed. Interestingly, educational level and disease duration correlated with MS knowledge. CONCLUSION: CareKoMS is a valid self-assessed questionnaire on MS knowledge for caregivers that may be used in clinical practice and research. Assessing knowledge of MS among caregivers is essential to facilitate their caregiving role and thus decrease the burden of disease management.

Standard versus innovative robotic balance assessment for people with multiple sclerosis: a correlational study.

INTRODUCTION: Balance disorders are common in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and, together with other impairments and disabilities, often prevent PwMS from performing their daily living activities. Besides clinical scales and performance tests, robotic platforms can provide more sensitive, specific, and objective monitoring. Validated technologies have been adopted as gold standard, but innovative robotic solutions would represent an opportunity to detect balance impairment in PwMS. AIM: Study's aim was to compare postural assessment of 46 PwMS with a relapsing-remitting form during static tasks performed with the novel robotic platform hunova® and the gold standard EquiTest®, METHODS: Pearson's r was run on Center of Pressure (COP)-related parameters and global static balance measures computed from hunova® and EquiTest® in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. In addition, agreeableness level toward the use of both devices was tested through numeric rating scale. RESULTS: Considering COP-related parameters, correlations were significant for all measures (p < .001). Interestingly, in EO, a strong correlation was shown for sway area (r = .770), while Medio-Lateral (ML) and Anterior-Posterior (AP) oscillation range, path length, ML and AP speed, ML and AP root mean square distance had a relatively strong association (.454 ≤ r ≤ .576). In EC, except for ML oscillation range showing a relatively strong correlation (r = .532), other parameters were strongly associated (.603 ≤ r ≤ .782). Correlations between global balance indexes of hunova® and EquiTest® revealed a relatively strong association between the Somatosensory Score in EquiTest® and the Somatosensory Index in hunova® (r = - .488). While in EO Static Balance Index from hunova® was highly correlated with Equilibrium score of EquiTest® (r = .416), Static Balance Index had a relatively strong association with both the Equilibrium (r = .482) and Strategy Score (r = .583) of EquiTest® in EC. Results from agreeableness rating scale revealed that hunova® was highly appreciated compared to EquiTest® (p = .044). CONCLUSIONS: hunova® represents an innovative adjunct to standard robotic balance evaluation for PwMS. This confirms that combining traditional and robotic assessments can more accurately detect balance impairments in MS.

Motor imagery has a priming effect on motor execution in people with multiple sclerosis.

Priming is a learning process that refers to behavioral changes caused by previous exposure to a similar stimulus. Motor imagery (MI), which involves the mental rehearsal of action representations in working memory without engaging in actual execution, could be a strategy for priming the motor system. This study investigates whether MI primes action execution in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Here, 17 people with MS (PwMS) and 19 healthy subjects (HS), all right-handed and good imaginers, performed as accurately and quickly as possible, with a pencil, actual or mental pointing movements between targets of small (1.0 × 1.0 cm) or large (1.5 × 1.5 cm) size. In actual trials, they completed five pointing cycles between the left and right targets, whereas in mental trials, the first 4 cycles were imagined while the fifth was actually executed. The fifth cycle was introduced to assess the MI priming effect on actual execution. All conditions, presented randomly, were performed with both dominant (i.e., right) and non-dominant arms. Analysis of the duration of the first 4 cycles in both actual and mental trials confirmed previous findings, showing isochrony in HS with both arms and significantly faster mental than actual movements (anisochrony) in PwMS (p < 0.01) [time (s); HS right: actual: 4.23 ± 0.15, mental: 4.36 ± 0.16; left: actual: 4.32 ± 0.15, mental: 4.43 ± 0.18; PwMS right: actual: 5.85 ± 0.16, mental: 5.99 ± 0.21; left: actual: 6.68 ± 0.20, mental: 5.94 ± 0.23]; anisochrony in PwMS was present when the task was performed with the non-dominant arm. Of note, temporal analysis of the fifth actual cycle showed no differences between actual and mental trials for HS with both arms, whereas in PwMS the fifth actual cycle was significantly faster after the four actual cycles for the non-dominant arm (p < 0.05) [time (s); HS right: actual: 1.03 ± 0.04, mental: 1.03 ± 0.03; left: actual: 1.08 ± 0.04, mental: 1.05 ± 0.03; PwMS right: actual: 1.48 ± 0.04, mental: 1.48 ± 0.06; left: actual: 1.66 ± 0.05, mental: 1.48 ± 0.06]. These results seem to suggest that a few mental repetitions of an action might be sufficient to exert a priming effect on the actual execution of the same action in PwMS. This would indicate further investigation of the potential use of MI as a new motor-cognitive tool for MS neurorehabilitation.

Mind wandering in people with Multiple Sclerosis: A psychometric study.

BACKGROUND: Although mind wandering (MW) is associated with various psychological aspects frequently affected in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS), there is lack of validated tools to assess MW in this clinical population. OBJECTIVE: This psychometric study aimed to assess structural and construct validity and reliability of a brief Italian version of Mind Wandering (MW) Scale that measures two different dimensions of MW, i.e., spontaneous (MW-S) and deliberate (MW-D). METHODS: Structural validity of the MW Scale was assessed by explorative factor analysis (EFA). To investigate construct validity, mood (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale) and personality (10-items Big Five Inventory Test) were correlated with MW constructs. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α for internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: EFA confirmed two distinct constructs of MW, i.e., MW-S and MW-D, also in PwMS. This tool appropriately fits the graded response model, supporting validity (about 79% of hypotheses for convergent and discriminant constructs confirmed) and internal consistency (MW-S: Cronbach's α = 0.84; MW-D: Cronbach's α = 0.88). CONCLUSION: MW Scale could be a useful tool to measure MW also in PwMS. As MW seems to be connected to clinical manifestations of MS, a detailed assessment of MW should be encouraged in clinical practice.

Predictors of Mood Disorders in Parents With Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Disability Level, Coping Techniques, and Perceived Social Support.

BACKGROUND: Being a parent can be demanding and stressful, especially for people with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Parenting can be disrupted by flareups, disease worsening, and other MS symptoms, including mobility problems, pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have been found to occur at much higher rates in people with MS than in the general population. Surprisingly, less is known about which factors may predict mood disorders in parents with MS. This study aims to identify potential demographic, clinical, and self-reported predictors that contribute to mood disorders measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. METHODS: A total of 285 parents with MS completed an anonymous online questionnaire combining sociodemographic, clinical, and family characteristics and scales, validated in Italian, related to coping strategies and social support. Associations between each variable and mood disorders were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Disability level, emotional and dysfunctional coping strategies, and perceived social support were significant predictors of mood disorders in parents with MS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the importance of identifying risk factors for mood disorders in parents with MS so that early intervention can minimize mood disruptions caused by the disease.

Predominant cognitive phenotypes in multiple sclerosis: Insights from patient-centered outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Since combining information from different domains could be useful to increase prediction accuracy over and above what can be achieved at the level of single category of markers, this study aimed to identify distinct and predominant subtypes, i.e., cognitive phenotypes, in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) considering both cognitive impairment and mood disorders. METHODS: A latent class analysis (LCA) was applied on data from 872 PwMS who were tested with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Furthermore, the distribution of demographic (i.e., age, gender, years of education) and clinical characteristics (i.e., disease duration, disease course, disability level) was examined amongst the identified phenotypes. RESULTS: Based on model fit and parsimony criteria, LCA identified four cognitive phenotypes: 1) only memory difficulties (n = 247; 28.3%); 2) minor memory and language deficits with mood disorders (n = 185; 21.2%); 3) moderate memory, language and attention impairments (n = 164; 18.8%); 4) severe memory, language, attention, information processing and executive functions difficulties (n = 276; 31.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Since less is known about the progressive deterioration of cognition in PwMS, a taxonomy of distinct subtypes that consider information from different clustered domains (i.e., cognition and mood) represents both a challenge and opportunity for an advanced understanding of cognitive impairments and development of tailored cognitive treatments in MS.

MAM-36 and ABILHAND as outcome measures of multiple sclerosis hand disability: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired upper limb functionality and dexterity are common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and lead to increased dependency and reduced quality of life. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the ability of the Manual Abilites Measure 36 (MAM-36) and the ABILHAND questionnaire to recognize an involvement of the upper limbs in PwMS, and to compare their results with those of other patient reported outcomes (PRO) evaluating disability, functional independence, symptoms of anxiety and depression, fatigue and quality of life. DESIGN: The study design was observational. SETTING: The setting of the study was outpatient. POPULATION: The study population included fifty-one PwMS (mean age of 56.31 years, age range of 33-82 years, 72.5% of patients were females). METHODS: For each patient were collected MAM-36, ABILHAND questionnaire, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), Functional Independence measure (FIM), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Life Satisfaction Index (LSI). RESULTS: A strong correlation between MAM-36 and the ABILHAND questionnaire (Spearman r: 0.79; P<0.0001) were found. We obtained a significant correlation between MAM-36 and EDSS (Spearman r: -0.5; P=0.0002), FIM (Spearman r: 0.55; P<0.0001); we did not observe a correlation with MFIS (Spearman r: -0.33; P=0.02); moreover we found a similar trend between ABILHAND and EDSS (Spearman r: -0.47; P=0.0005), FIM (Spearman r: 0.61; P<0.0001), MFIS (Spearman r: -0.41; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In PwMS the assessment of upper limbs is fundamental since it closely related to the level of disability of the person. Both MAM-36 and ABILHAND Questionnaire are equally able to detect upper limb dysfunctions in PwMS. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Both MAM-36 and ABILHAND can be used for upper limbs evaluation, within a multidimensional approach that seems to be the best way to evaluate PwMS.

Spatial constraints and cognitive fatigue affect motor imagery of walking in people with multiple sclerosis.

Motor imagery (MI) is the mental simulation of an action without any overt motor execution. Interestingly, a temporal coupling between durations of real and imagined movements, i.e., the so-called isochrony principle, has been demonstrated in healthy adults. On the contrary, anisochrony has frequently been reported in elderly subjects or those with neurological disease such as Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we tested whether people with MS (PwMS) may have impaired MI when they imagined themselves walking on paths with different widths. When required to mentally simulate a walking movement along a constrained pathway, PwMS tended to overestimate mental movement duration with respect to actual movement duration. Interestingly, in line with previous evidence, cognitive fatigue was found to play a role in the MI of PwMS. These results suggest that investigating the relationship between cognitive fatigue and MI performances could be key to shedding new light on the motor representation of PwMS and providing critical insights into effective and tailored rehabilitative treatments.