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Awareness of deficit in multiple sclerosis
Tanya E Sherman1, Lisa J Rapport, Kelly A Ryan
1Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, The Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Rm 555, 261 Mack Blvd, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. tsherman@dmc.org
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|September 14, 2007
Summary
Approximately one-third of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) show unawareness of cognitive or functional deficits. This unawareness is more prevalent in secondary-progressive MS and linked to executive dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting cognitive and functional abilities.
- Awareness of deficits is crucial for treatment adherence and rehabilitation outcomes in MS patients.
- Previous research indicates varying levels of self-awareness among individuals with neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of awareness of cognitive and functional deficits in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore the relationship between MS disease course (relapse-remitting vs. secondary-progressive) and unawareness of deficits.
- To examine the association between executive dysfunction and unawareness of cognitive versus functional deficits.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 74 pairs of persons with MS and their significant others.
- Awareness of cognitive deficit assessed via discrepancy between patient self-report and objective cognitive testing.
- Awareness of functional deficit assessed via discrepancy between patient self-report and significant other report.
Main Results:
- Approximately one-third of MS patients exhibited diminished awareness of their cognitive and/or functional deficits.
- Unawareness of deficits was more common in patients with secondary-progressive MS compared to relapse-remitting MS.
- Executive dysfunction was significantly associated with unawareness of cognitive deficits, but not functional deficits.
Conclusions:
- A substantial portion of MS patients lack adequate awareness of their cognitive and functional impairments.
- Different types of deficits (cognitive vs. functional) may be associated with distinct aspects of unawareness.
- Disease progression (secondary-progressive MS) and specific cognitive impairments (executive dysfunction) are linked to impaired self-awareness in MS.
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