A neuropsychologically-based intervention with increased follow-up support for employed women with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate feasibility and acceptability of a neuropsychologically-based vocational intervention with increased follow-up support for women with multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: Single-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. SETTING: Tertiary-care multiple sclerosis center. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-nine employed women with multiple sclerosis meeting criteria on measures of cognitive dysfunction (Symbol Digit Modalities Test), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), and/or depression (Beck Depression Inventory/Patient Health Questionnaire). INTERVENTIONS: Participants received either neuropsychological testing and phone feedback regarding findings and tailored recommendations (standard-care treatment), or testing, in-person feedback, and two calls from a care-coordinator (experimental treatment). MEASURES: Feasibility measures included enrollment and attrition rates, and compliance to recommendations at 12-months between groups. Acceptability was evaluated by participants' report of benefit from interventions. Secondary analyses included evaluation of symptom changes (cognition, fatigue, depression) from baseline to 12-months. RESULTS: Of 49 women meeting screening measure thresholds, 44 were randomized to treatment groups (attrition: standard-care = 8, experimental = 6), and 30 completed the study (standard-care = 14, experimental = 16). Recommendation adherence rates did not significantly differ between standard-care and experimental groups (31% vs 49%). However, 16/16 experimental participants at least partially completed given recommendations as compared to 8/14 in the standard-care group. Participants across groups (97%) reported benefit from participation. No significant differences in symptom outcomes between groups at 12-months. CONCLUSION: In-person feedback and care-coordinator calls were feasible and acceptable additions to a neuropsychological intervention and may serve to increase recommendation adherence. Given high drop-out rate, particularly prior to testing, future research may explore avenues to improve completion rates and maximize benefits of such interventions.

The influence of trait mindfulness on depression in multiple sclerosis: potential implications for treatment.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to add to existing literature on depression and illness intrusiveness in chronic disorders by examining, (1) how the perceived intrusiveness of multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to depression, (2) and the mediating role trait mindfulness plays in this relationship METHODS: Participants (N = 755) were persons with MS (PwMS) recruited through the North American Research Committee on MS (NARCOMS) registry (a larger study). Participants completed the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. A mediation model assessed if trait mindfulness mediates the relationship between illness intrusiveness and depression RESULTS: Illness intrusiveness predicted trait mindfulness (a = - 4.54; p < .001), trait mindfulness predicted depression (b = - .04; p < .001); there was a direct effect of illness intrusiveness on depression (c' = 2.53; p < .001) and an indirect effect on depression (ab = .17, 95% BCa CI [.10, .25]) when trait mindfulness was in the model, which represented a medium size effect, R2med = .10 [95% CI .07, .14] CONCLUSION: Trait mindfulness mediates the relationship between illness intrusiveness and depression in PwMS. Providers could provide psychoeducation on the benefits of mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions.

Relationship Between Anxiety and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety, which is very prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) but understudied, has been shown to negatively affect cognition in many different populations. Slowed information processing speed underlies most cognitive impairments in MS, including verbal learning. The aim of this study was to look at how anxiety influences cognition-specifically processing speed and verbal learning-in MS. METHODS: Eligibility criteria were adults (≥18 years) who had a diagnosis of clinically definite MS and had participated in neuropsychological research projects. A retrospective medical record review was conducted on the neuropsychological testing data. Two hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to determine the unique contributions of processing speed and anxiety on verbal learning in MS, after adjusting for demographic and disability variables. Two separate mediation analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between processing speed, verbal learning, and anxiety. RESULTS: Participants (N = 141) ranged in age from 18-91 years. Based on the multiple regression analyses, processing speed (ß = 0.55, ΔR 2 = 0.27, P < .001) and anxiety (ß = -0.34, ΔR 2 = 0.11, P < .001) were uniquely significant predictors of verbal learning. Based on the mediation analyses, there was a significant indirect effect of anxiety on verbal learning through processing speed (ab = -0.31, 95% CI = -0.60 to -0.09). There was also a significant indirect effect of processing speed on verbal learning through anxiety (ab = -0.05, 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a bidirectional relationship of anxiety and processing speed on verbal learning in MS. Anxiety has a significant effect on cognition and should not be overlooked. Interventions targeting anxiety may improve cognition in MS.

Motivation in multiple sclerosis cognitive fatigue: An experimental approach.

Introduction: Cognitive fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent research has implicated dopaminergic pathways originating in the basal ganglia as neurological correlates of cognitive fatigue in MS. This same system has long been associated with goal-directed behavior and reward-based motivation. While researchers have demonstrated that reward has a reliable impact on performance in tasks of sustained attention in healthy individuals, the effect of reward on fatigue is less clear, as prior research has not adequately controlled for desensitization to reward in a sustained attention task. The primary aims of this study were to examine the effect of reward on attention in MS patients, and to examine the effect of reward on objective cognitive fatigue. Method: The study employed a 3 × 3 repeated measures design to evaluate performance of N = 64 patients with definite MS on a measure of cognitive fatigue across several reward conditions. The study utilized a novel delayed-reward paradigm to better control the measured effect of reward on fatigue. Results: Reward (main effect) displayed a significant effect on overall performance (F = 3.050, p < .05). Reward was also shown to affect fatigue trajectory (Reward × Interval, F = 2.433, p < .05). However, this effect was dependent on the method of reward administration. Conclusions: Study findings support the role of motivation in MS cognitive performance, particularly in objective cognitive fatigue, a behavioral finding that is consistent with current neuropsychological theory. Study findings support the delayed-reward paradigm as an effective method for measuring reward effect on tasks of sustained attention.

Short Report: Adherence to Neuropsychological Recommendations in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to nonmedication recommendations is typically low, as seen in various health populations. Because literature on adherence to treatment recommendations made after neuropsychological testing in multiple sclerosis (MS) is lacking, this study evaluated adherence and reasons for nonadherence. Relationships between adherence to recommendations and various other factors in patients with MS were also evaluated. METHODS: Of 66 adult patients seen for neuropsychological testing at an MS center, 55 were eligible for this study. Forty-five patients (mean age, 43.4 years; 75.6% women) were reached by phone, and all agreed to an interview involving questions regarding adherence to treatment recommendations. Other information was obtained through retrospective medical record review. RESULTS: Overall self-reported adherence to recommendations made from neuropsychological testing was 38%. Adherence rates varied by recommendation type: psychopharmacological management had the highest rate (80%), and referrals for cognitive rehabilitation had the lowest (6.5%). Reasons for nonadherence included needing more information and wanting to speak with one's physician regarding the recommendations. Adherence was associated with patients' ability to spontaneously recall at least some of their recommendations and with receiving both a written report and a phone call with test results. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to recommendations made after neuropsychological testing for patients with MS is low. Points of intervention may be to give directed feedback for each recommendation and to provide both a written report and a phone call with results and recommendations. Asking patients to repeat back the recommendations may be a simple and efficient way to increase understanding and improve adherence.

Neuropsychology in the Integrated MS Care Setting.

The goal of this paper is to describe the role of the neuropsychologist in a Multiple Sclerosis clinic setting. A brief overview of the pathophysiology and neuropsychological deficits in MS is presented. Practical details regarding relations with the neurology team, and the neuropsychologist's focus on assessment are described. Recommendations regarding necessary training and skills, as well as typical clinical practice routines are described. The neuropsychologist's communication with internal and external providers and family members in order to assist implementation of recommendations is described.

Comparison of the abbreviated minimal assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (aMACFIMS) and the brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS).

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a prevalent and often intrusive problem among persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Valid and reliable assessments, including quick screening measures, are crucial. The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) was developed for this reason. While it lends itself to use in locations where formal neuropsychological resources might be limited, it does not include measures of verbal fluency or executive functioning, domains assessed as part of the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). OBJECTIVE: Given previous evidence that shortened MACFIMS measures have strong criterion validity, this study aimed to determine which of these should be included in the abbreviated MACFIMS (aMACFIMS), and how the aMACFIMS compares to the BICAMS. METHODS: One hundred forty-seven PwMS were included in the analyses. A stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the measures in the aMACFIMS. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The batteries' sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were then compared. RESULTS: Compared to the BICAMS, the final aMACFIMS had higher specificity (87% versus 72%) and positive predictive value (86% versus 77%), but lower sensitivity (71% versus 81%). CONCLUSION: The aMACFIMS has several benefits, including reduced administration time and the addition of a verbal fluency/executive functioning measure.