Cognitive Symptom Awareness Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Using a Mobile Application.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Digital Health
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a frequent challenge for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Mobile applications show promise in enhancing patient awareness of cognitive symptoms.
• Quality improvement initiatives aim to optimize patient care and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a mobile application on cognitive symptom awareness in adult MS patients.
• To evaluate if a mobile app increases patient engagement in discussing cognitive changes with healthcare providers.

Main Methods:

• A pre/post-implementation quality improvement study design was employed.
• Participants used the MS Care Connect mobile application to track cognitive symptoms weekly.
• Pre- and post-questionnaires measured awareness of cognitive symptoms and likelihood of provider discussion.

Main Results:

• No significant improvement in cognitive symptom awareness was observed post-intervention.
• Patients using the app were more inclined to discuss cognitive changes with their healthcare team.
• Sixty cognitive symptom ratings were recorded by 18 patients who actively used the application.

Conclusions:

• The mobile application did not significantly enhance patients' awareness of their cognitive symptoms.
• The study suggests potential for mobile apps to facilitate communication between patients and providers regarding cognitive health.
• Further research is recommended to explore the role of mobile applications in managing MS-related cognitive changes.