@article{ref1,
title="Distraction adds to the cognitive burden in multiple sclerosis",
journal="Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical and Laboratory Research",
year="2016",
author="Patel, Viral P. and Zambrana, Aaron and Walker, Lisa As and Herrmann, Nathan and Feinstein, Anthony",
volume="23",
number="1",
pages="106-113",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) causes numerous limitations in activities of daily living. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To develop an improved method of cognitive assessment in people with MS using novel real-world distracters. <br><br>METHODS: A sample of 99 people with MS and 55 demographically matched healthy controls underwent testing with the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) and a modified version of the computerized Symbol Digit Modalities Test (c-SDMT). Half of the subjects completed the c-SDMT with built-in real-world distracters and half without. <br><br>RESULTS: The mean time on the c-SDMT was significantly greater in MS subjects than healthy controls for both distracter (p = 0.001) and non-distracter (p < 0.001) versions. Significantly more MS subjects were impaired on the c-SDMT with distracters than the traditional SDMT (47.1% vs 30.3%, p = 0.04). There were no differences in impairment between the c-SDMT with and without distracters (47.1% vs 37.5%, p = 0.34). The distracter version had a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 88% in detecting global cognitive impairment. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of distracters improves the sensitivity of a validated computerized version of the SDMT relative to the non-distracter and traditional versions and offers a quick and easy means of detecting cognitive impairment in people with MS.<br><br>© The Author(s), 2016.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1352-4585",
doi="10.1177/1352458516641208",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458516641208"
}