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Cognition and Cognitive Fatigability: Association with Employment Status in Multiple Sclerosis.
Elise S MacAdam1, Jason A Berard2, Lisa A S Walker2,3
1Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Summary
Information processing speed, measured by the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), is linked to employment status in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Cognitive fatigability did not show an association with employment in this study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Slowed processing speed significantly impacts employment for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
- Previous research using the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) indicated its combined score predicts employment status.
- The independent association of Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) performance and cognitive fatigability (CF) with employment in PwMS remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between PASAT performance, cognitive fatigability (CF), and employment status in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
Main Methods:
- 186 PwMS completed the PASAT as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests were used to compare employed and unemployed groups on demographics, PASAT scores, and CF.
- Linear regression models assessed the association of PASAT performance and CF with employment status, controlling for demographic factors.
Main Results:
- Employed and unemployed individuals differed significantly in PASAT performance scores after adjusting for demographics.
- PASAT performance was significantly associated with employment status.
- Cognitive fatigability (CF) was not found to be associated with employment status.
Conclusions:
- PASAT performance is confirmed as a significant factor associated with employment status in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Cognitive fatigability (CF) does not appear to be directly linked to employment status in this population.
- Difficulties in information processing speed and working memory, rather than performance decline during a task, may more strongly influence the ability of PwMS to maintain employment.
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