Trait Conscientiousness predicts rate of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis

Fuchs, Tom; Benedict, Ralph H. B.; Wilding, Gregory E.; Wojcik, Curtis; Jakimovski, Dejan; Bergsland, Niels; Ramasamy, Deepa P.; Weinstock‐Guttman, Bianca; Zivadinov, Robert; Dwyer, Michael G.

doi:10.1177/1352458519858605

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In addition, these patients may have a clearer understanding and enhanced conscientiousness towards their disease and seek information through educational resources thus impacting their life-style and dietary choices and improving their MS outcome. 30 Exercise levels had the most profound effect on MS severity and disability. MS patients that reported no weekly exercise regimens had the worst MS severity scores.…”

Section: O N L I N E F I R S Tmentioning

confidence: 98%

Predictors of Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Albatineh¹,

Alroughani²,

Al-Temaimi³

2020

International Journal of MS Care

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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disorder. Several factors have been shown to associate with MS clinical severity. Here we investigated the influence of different life style factors on MS clinical severity as assessed by the MS severity score (MSSS). Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 128 Kuwaiti MS patients to assess the association of smoking, supplement use, food allergy, physical activity and education with MSSS. A multiple linear regression model was used to test for associations. Regression model results were adjusted for gender, history of blood transfusion, MS age of onset, and marital status. Results: Smoking status, passive smoking and food allergy are not associated with MSSS. MS patients with a college education and graduate/professional degrees have on average 2.56 lower MSSS scores compared to those with less than high school education (β = −2.22 PV = 0.045, and β = −2.9 PV = 0.048, respectively). Patients who perform physical activity score on average 2.32 lower on the MSSS compared to those with no physical activity (Moderate exercise PV = 0.003, rigorous exercise PV = 0.001). Physical activity correlated significantly with MSSS outcomes (r2 = 0.452, PV < 0.001). Conclusions: Physical activity and educational level are significantly associated with reduced MSSS. Physical activity and educational level both contribute to a less severe MS clinical course. Current MS management protocols should consider life style changes to improve the quality of life of MS patients.

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Section: O N L I N E F I R S Tmentioning

confidence: 98%

Predictors of Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Albatineh¹,

Alroughani²,

Al-Temaimi³

2020

International Journal of MS Care

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“…30 The Five-Factor Model of personality, on which the NEO-FFI is based, includes other orthogonal traits, namely, neuroticism, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. Considering the limited sample size, we decided to focus on Conscientiousness due to its recently reported moderating effects on cognitive decline 11 and its relationship with cognitive reserve. 31 Other traits, especially neuroticism, 32 should be investigated in future studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Recently, this trait was shown to predict deterioration in cognition and brain volume over 5 years in multiple sclerosis (MS). 10,11 Low Conscientiousness is also associated with occupational stress in MS workers. 12 A limitation of cross-sectional associations between these factors and employed/disabled status is that metrics of change or potentially actionable antecedents to job loss are missed.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Conscientiousness and deterioration in employment status in multiple sclerosis over 3 years

et al. 2020

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Background: Physical and cognitive symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) correlate with unemployment cross-sectionally. Prospective studies, rarely published, have not accounted for personality traits such as Conscientiousness. Methods: In a 3-year study of 70 people with MS (PwMS) and 25 healthy controls (HCs), we evaluated employment status using online interviews capturing hours worked, negative work events, employee relations, and accommodations. Deteriorating employment status (DES) was defined as reduced employment (full-time to part-time or negative work events). In PwMS, we explored workplace accommodations, disclosure of disease status, and physical/psychological predictors of DES (e.g. Conscientiousness). Results: At follow-up, DES was 0% in HCs and 25.7% in MS, and 62.7% of work-stable PwMS used at least one work accommodation, most frequently, flexible hours. At baseline, DES-PwMS had lower education ( p = 0.009), lower Conscientiousness ( p < 0.001), more fatigue ( p = 0.033), and performed worse on Symbol Digit Modalities Test ( p = 0.013), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test—Revised ( p = 0.041), and Nine-Hole Peg Test ( p = 0.046) relative to work-stable. The model predicting DES was significant (χ2(7) = 30.936, p < 0.001) and baseline Conscientiousness accounted for more variance in DES ( p = 0.004) than other factors. Higher Conscientiousness PwMS were more likely to disclose their condition at work ( p = 0.038). Conclusion: Accommodations for low Conscientiousness, flexible hours, and physical/cognitive rehabilitation may prevent DES.

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“…4 Low Conscientiousness predicts employment loss in people with MS even after accounting for education, race, fatigue, cognition, and physical disability. 3 Conscientiousness declines longitudinally in people with MS, 5 and in addition to predicting employment loss, low Conscientiousness also predicts faster rates of cognitive decline and brain atrophy 6,7 and increased susceptibility to mood or anxiety disorders. 8 If these predictions are the result of differences in behavior, then treatments aimed at altering Conscientiousness-associated behaviors ought to benefit maintenance of employment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Support of a Behavioral Intervention for Trait Conscientiousness in Multiple Sclerosis

Fuchs

Jaworski

Youngs

et al. 2021

International Journal of MS Care

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Background: Conscientiousness, or the proclivity for deliberation, achievement, and order, declines in many people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Decreased Conscientiousness predicts future cognitive deterioration, brain atrophy, and employment loss in people with MS. As a psychological trait, it may be an actionable antecedent to these important outcomes. We pilot tested an application (app)-facilitated behavioral intervention to help adaptation to low Conscientiousness and, in turn, improve employment. Methods: Eleven people with MS (five treatment, six control) with low Conscientiousness were recruited for a 12-week randomized controlled trial. The treatment group received a newly developed behavioral treatment and smartphone app designed to help people behave more conscientiously, two teleconference booster sessions, and weekly telephone calls to monitor progress. Employment changes were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Patients provided detailed posttreatment interviews. Results: Participant groups were matched on baseline age, sex, education, disease duration, hours worked, and Conscientiousness. All participants in the treatment arm reported benefits, found the app easy to use, and would recommend it to others. The treatment group reported significantly more positive work outcomes relative to controls at follow-up (P = .028). Other positive life changes were described by treatment participants during posttreatment interviews. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that behaviors typically associated with low Conscientiousness may be addressed by behavioral therapy in the MS population. In addition to the positive employment changes in the treatment group, several other quality of life changes were described by study participants. Additional research is needed.

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Trait Conscientiousness predicts rate of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Predictors of Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Predictors of Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Conscientiousness and deterioration in employment status in multiple sclerosis over 3 years

Preliminary Support of a Behavioral Intervention for Trait Conscientiousness in Multiple Sclerosis

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