Repeated forms, testing intervals, and SDMT performance in a large multiple sclerosis dataset.
Mult Scler Relat Disord
; 68: 104375, 2022 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36544304
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the most reliable and sensitive measure of cognition in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), is increasingly used in clinical trials and care.OBJECTIVES:
We aimed to establish how SDMT performance is influenced by repeating forms and frequency of use in PwMS.METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was completed on a large database of PwMS (n = 740) with multiple SDMT administrations. Change in SDMT performance was analyzed, accounting for frequency of tests and utilization of alternate- versus same-form conditions.RESULTS:
SDMT administrations ranged from 2 to 14 per subject over a mean (SD) of 5.9 (4.5) years. Accounting for demographics, the mixed effects model revealed a significant main effect of SDMT exposures (1.8 point improvement per repetition, p = 0.001) and an interaction between time since previous SDMT and whether the same test form was administered in the previous administration (estimate=-1.1, p = 0.037). As well, SDMT decline is observed when testing intervals exceed two years (F = 9.69, p<0.001).CONCLUSION:
Improvements in SDMT performance with repeated exposure, likely reflecting practice effects, were greatest when repeating the same SDMT form over briefer intervals. We recommend the use of alternate forms or analogous versions of timed symbol-digit coding particularly where samples are saturated with many administrations.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos del Conocimiento
/
Esclerosis Múltiple
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mult Scler Relat Disord
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article