Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Pain is associated with prospective memory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis
Ashley K Miller1, Michael R Basso, Philip J Candilis
1a Department of Psychology , University of Tulsa , Tulsa , OK , USA.
Abstract:
Prospective memory (PM) pertains to the execution of a future goal or behavior. Initial research implies that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are apt to show impaired prospective memory for activities of daily living. Yet, PM impairment does not occur in all people with MS. Thus, some other variable besides disease status alone may contribute to PM dysfunction in people with MS. Chronic pain may be such a variable. Approximately 50-70% of people with MS experience significant pain, and such pain has been thought to diminish memory function. To investigate this possibility, 96 patients with MS and 29 healthy subjects were administered the Memory for Intentions Screening Test (MIST; Woods, S. P., Iudicello, J. E., Moran, L. M, Carey, C. L., Dawson, M. S., & Grant, I. (2008). HIV-associated prospective memory impairment increases risk of dependence in everyday functioning. Neuropsychology, 22, 110-117.), a well-validated measure of prospective memory, and the Medical Outcomes Study Pain Effects Scale (PES; Fischer, J. S., Rudick, R. A., Cutter, G. R., & Reingold, S. C. (1999). The multiple sclerosis functional composite measure (MSFC): An integrated approach to MS clinical outcome assessment. National MS Society Clinical Outcomes Assessment Task Force. Multiple Sclerosis, 5, 244-250.) to assess chronic pain. After controlling for demographic variables and disability severity, subjective pain accounted for significant variance in PM, particularly for time-based intentions over sustained delay periods. These data accord well with assertions that pain may degrade ability to remember new intentions and suggests that pain is associated with PM dysfunction in people with MS.
Insights
Chronic pain in multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts prospective memory (PM), affecting the ability to remember future intentions. This suggests pain, not just MS disease status, contributes to memory deficits in patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Prospective memory (PM) is crucial for daily functioning, involving the execution of future intentions.
- Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) often exhibit impaired PM, but the contributing factors beyond disease status require further investigation.
- Chronic pain is prevalent in MS and has been hypothesized to negatively affect cognitive functions, including memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chronic pain and prospective memory (PM) dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To determine if subjective pain levels predict PM performance in MS patients, independent of demographic factors and disability severity.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 96 individuals with MS and 29 healthy controls.
- Administration of the Memory for Intentions Screening Test (MIST) to assess PM.
- Utilized the Medical Outcomes Study Pain Effects Scale (PES) to quantify subjective pain levels.
Main Results:
- Subjective pain significantly predicted variance in PM performance after controlling for demographic variables and disability severity.
- The association between pain and PM impairment was particularly evident for time-based intentions requiring sustained attention.
- These findings indicate a link between chronic pain and difficulties in remembering future intentions in individuals with MS.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pain is a significant factor associated with prospective memory dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Pain may degrade the ability to remember and execute future intentions, highlighting the need for pain management in cognitive rehabilitation for MS.
- Further research should explore the mechanisms underlying pain-related PM deficits in MS to inform targeted interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview