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Visual-Attentional Load Unveils Slowed Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Pilot Study with a
Marco Pitteri1, Caterina Dapor1, Stefano Ziccardi1
1Neurology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Brain Sciences
|November 21, 2020
Summary
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) show slower information processing speed (IPS) even without cognitive impairment. A new tablet-based videogame revealed their increased susceptibility to task demands, validating computerized cognitive testing for MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Information processing speed (IPS) is a primary cognitive deficit in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Traditional paper-and-pencil tests may underestimate subtle IPS deficits in patients with MS.
- Computerized assessments offer potential for more sensitive detection of cognitive changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of increased task demands on IPS in patients with MS (pwMS) using a novel tablet-based videogame.
- To assess the validity of a videogame as a tool for measuring IPS in pwMS.
- To compare the performance of pwMS with healthy controls (HC) under varying cognitive loads.
Main Methods:
- Developed a tablet-based videogame with three tasks manipulating visual-attentional load.
- Recruited 51 pwMS (no cognitive impairment on standard tests) and 20 HC.
- Recorded reaction times (RTs) and accuracy during videogame tasks.
Main Results:
- pwMS performed significantly worse than HC, exhibiting slower RTs and lower accuracy.
- pwMS demonstrated a greater accuracy decline with increasing visual-attentional load, indicating higher susceptibility to task demands.
- Significant correlations were found between the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and videogame performance (RTs and accuracy), supporting concurrent validity.
Conclusions:
- A tablet-based videogame effectively detects IPS deficits in pwMS, even those not identified by conventional tests.
- Computerized tools show promise for sensitive and valid assessment of cognitive function in MS.
- Further investigation into computerized cognitive assessment in clinical practice is warranted.
