Multitasking in Multiple Sclerosis: Can It Inform Vocational Functioning?

Morse, Chelsea Lodge; Schultheis, Maria T.; McKeever, Joshua D.; Leist, Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.033

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…retrieve and identify information from past memories) [77,78] and in the ability to retain old memories [81,82]. Furthermore, deficits in attention [79,80], information processing, decision making and problem solving [81,83,84] especially during multitasking activities [85], seem to be frequent. Finally, language and verbal fluency are often impaired in MS [75] and these defects manifest in slow speech capacity and slow information processing speed [74].…”

Section: Cognitive Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: An overview of its impact on sensory and cognitive symptoms

et al. 2018

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). The exact cause of MS is still unknown; yet its incidence and prevalence rates are growing worldwide, making MS a significant public health challenge. The heterogeneous distribution of demyelination within and between MS patients translates in a complex and varied array of autonomic, motor, sensory and cognitive symptoms. Yet a unique aspect of MS is the highly prevalent (60-80%) temperature sensitivity of its sufferers, where neurological symptoms are temporarily exacerbated by environmental-or exercise-induced increases (or decreases) in body temperature. MS temperature sensitivity is primarily driven by temperature-dependent slowing or blocking of neural conduction within the CNS due to changes in internal (core) temperature; yet changes in skin temperature could also contribute to symptom exacerbation (e.g. during sunlight and warm ambient exposure). The impact of temperature sensitivity, and particularly of increases in core temperature, on autonomic (e.g. thermoregulatory/cardiovascular function) and motor symptoms (e.g. fatigue) is well described. However, less attention has been given to how increases (and decreases) in core and skin temperature affect sensory and cognitive symptoms. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether changes in skin temperature alone could also trigger worsening of symptoms. Here we review the impact of temperature sensitivity on MS sensory and cognitive function and discuss additional factors (e.g. changes in skin temperature) that potentially contribute to temperature-induced worsening of symptoms in the absence of alteration in core temperature.

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Section: Cognitive Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: An overview of its impact on sensory and cognitive symptoms

et al. 2018

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“…Measures of conceptual reasoning, set shifting, problem-solving, attention, multi-tasking ability and processing speed were found predictive of employment status in MS [12–15]. Among other functional measures (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…disease characteristics, physical disability, fatigue, cognitive function, personality traits, mood disorder, and behavioral dysfunction) tests of executive functioning were particularly sensitive in discriminating employed versus disabled MS patients [13]. All of the above mentioned studies include patients with relapsing-remitting as well as the progressive subtypes of MS [12–15]. However, disease course has an impact on both employment status [13, 14] and executive functioning [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work Participation and Executive Abilities in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Hiele

Gorp

Ruimschotel³

et al. 2015

PLoS ONE

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The majority of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are unable to retain employment within 10 years from disease onset. Executive abilities, such as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, inhibition and mental flexibility may have a direct impact on the ability to maintain a job. This study investigated differences in subjective and objective executive abilities between relapsing-remitting MS patients with and without a paid job. We included 55 relapsing-remitting MS patients from a community-based sample (47 females; mean age: 47 years; 36% employed). Patients underwent neurological, cognitive and psychological assessments at their homes, including an extensive executive test battery. We found that unemployed patients had a longer disease duration (t(53)=2.76, p=0.008) and reported more organising and planning problems (χ2(1)=6.3, p=0.012), higher distractibility (Kendall’s tau-b= -0.24, p=0.03) and more cognitive fatigue (U=205.0, p=0.028, r=-0.30) than employed patients. Unemployed patients completed slightly less categories on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (U=243.5, p=0.042, r=-0.28). Possible influential factors such as age, educational level, physical functioning, depression and anxiety did not differ between groups. In conclusion, while relapsing-remitting MS patients without a paid job reported more executive problems and cognitive fatigue than patients with a paid job, little differences were found in objective executive abilities. Further research is needed to examine possible causal relations.

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“…Dual-tasking, and its assessment, captures the interaction of different executive functions and therefore comes closer to requirements in everyday life. As such, the assessment of dual-tasking functions is important and has an ecological validity for the assessment of cognitive dysfunctions associated with MS ( 12 ). Over the last decades, especially research in cognitive and experimental psychology has uncovered the cognitive mechanisms involved in dual- and multi-tasking ( 13 ).…”

Section: Cognitive–cognitive Dual Tasking Assessment In the Context Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Cognitive–Cognitive Dual-Task Testing Assessment Should Be Implemented in Studies on Multiple Sclerosis and in Regular Clinical Practice

Beste

Ziemssen

2020

Front. Neurol.

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Cognitive impairment is prevalent and disabling in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is severely impacting quality of life (QoL). Aside its routine assessment in clinical care, it should more often be implemented as endpoint/outcome measure in clinical trials. However, a fundamental aspect—often neglected in clinical practice and clinical trials—is the assessment of multi-tasking and dual-tasking abilities. In this perspective article, we outline why, given the nature of MS, particularly the assessment of “cognitive–cognitive dual-tasking” is relevant in MS. We delineate how knowledge from basic cognitive science can inform the assessment of this important cognitive impairment in MS. Finally, we outline how the assessment of “cognitive–cognitive dual-tasking” can be implemented in computer-based screening tools (e-health devices) that can be used not only in clinical diagnostics but also in clinical trials.

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Multitasking in Multiple Sclerosis: Can It Inform Vocational Functioning?

Cited by 14 publications

References 19 publications

Temperature sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: An overview of its impact on sensory and cognitive symptoms

Temperature sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: An overview of its impact on sensory and cognitive symptoms

Work Participation and Executive Abilities in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Why Cognitive–Cognitive Dual-Task Testing Assessment Should Be Implemented in Studies on Multiple Sclerosis and in Regular Clinical Practice

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