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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
The PASAT performance among patients with multiple sclerosis: analyses of responding patterns using different scoring
E Rosti1, P Hämäläinen, K Koivisto
1Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Department of Neurology, Hanneksenrinne 7, 60220 Seinäjoki, Finland. eija.rosti@pshp.fi
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|November 8, 2006
Summary
Multiple sclerosis patients often omit answers on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) to manage cognitive load. Emphasizing late-task performance improves accuracy in detecting cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is a key cognitive assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- Its role in detecting cognitive impairment and its scoring methods require further investigation.
- The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) utilizes PASAT as its sole cognitive measure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in PASAT response patterns between MS patients and healthy controls.
- To evaluate how various scoring methods impact PASAT's sensitivity and specificity for cognitive impairment in MS.
- To identify optimal scoring strategies for enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of PASAT performance between 45 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 48 healthy controls.
- Utilized a comprehensive neuropsychological examination alongside the PASAT.
- Examined the influence of different scoring methods (dyad score, percent dyad score, combined score) on diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- MS patients with cognitive decline strategically omitted PASAT items rather than guessing.
- MS patients showed performance decline towards the end of the test, unlike controls.
- Emphasizing PASAT performance at the end of the series improved accuracy.
- A combined scoring method correctly classified 73% of MS patients' cognitive status.
Conclusions:
- MS patients adapt PASAT strategies by omitting items, impacting interpretation.
- Standard scoring methods (dyad, percent dyad) offer limited improvement in sensitivity/specificity.
- Focusing on late-task performance and using a combined score enhances PASAT's utility in identifying MS-related cognitive deficits.
