The Multiple Sclerosis Inventory of Cognition for Adolescents (MUSICADO): A brief screening instrument to assess cognitive dysfunction, fatigue and loss of health-related quality of life in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis

Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation for Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: A Scoping Review

“…Trail making test (TMT)-B performance more readily differentiated between POMS and controls compared to TMT-A in earlier studies [ 13 , 30 ], whereas the reverse was found in later studies [ 21 , 32 ]. Bartlett et al reported that verbal memory as assessed by Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT) was impaired in POMS [ 31 ], while Storm Van’s Gravesande et al found no significant verbal memory deficit in POMS using Verbaler Lern- und Merkfähigkeitstest (the German version of RAVLT) [ 21 ]. Discrepant results were also reported with regard to visuospatial memory tapped by brief visuospatial memory test-revised (BVMTR) versus Rey–Osterrieth figure tests [ 15 , 21 ].…”

“…Some studies tried to establish normative data using regression-based approach [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], in which age-squared variable could be incorporated to better model the nonlinear quality of cognitive development [ 15 , 16 ]. Others investigated the performance of various cognitive assessment tools through comparisons between patients and healthy controls [ 7 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Among these, two studies aimed to construct batteries by picking up three to four tests with better discriminating abilities, and evaluated the performance of these batteries as screening tools [ 13 , 21 ].…”

“…Others investigated the performance of various cognitive assessment tools through comparisons between patients and healthy controls [ 7 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Among these, two studies aimed to construct batteries by picking up three to four tests with better discriminating abilities, and evaluated the performance of these batteries as screening tools [ 13 , 21 ]. Participants’ satisfaction with the test was quantitatively reported in a study [ 17 ].…”

“…One study examined the interrelationships between tests tapping different cognitive domains [ 8 ]. A recurring finding yielded by these studies was the significant role of age and educational level in cognitive task performance in pediatric populations [ 14 , 17 , 21 ]. For instance, the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) performance steadily improves with age in healthy children (8–17 years) [ 17 ].…”

“…Findings yielded by commonly used tools were sometimes discrepant across studies. For instance, SDMT has been recommended and widely used as a screening tool in adult and pediatric MS [ 26 , 29 ], whereas its sensitivity in pediatric MS was occasionally challenged [ 17 , 21 , 30 , 31 ], particularly in early stage of the disease. Brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS) and a Cogstate brief battery were shown to exhibit comparable sensitivity in detecting cognitive impairment in POMS [ 19 ].…”