Differences in Physical and Cognitive Function among Caucasian and African American Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects both Caucasian and African Americans in the U.S., with evidence of faster disability progression among African Americans.

We compared physical and cognitive performance between groups and examined within-group associations between cognitive and motor outcomes (i.e., cognitive-motor coupling).

Participants completed remote Zoom-based assessments, including the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand (30STS), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II). Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Pearson correlations.

The sample included 310 adults with MS (mean age=49.8±12.3 years) who self-identified as Caucasian (n=206) or African American (n=104). Caucasian participants demonstrated higher 30STS (d=0.25, P<0.05) and CVLT-II (d=0.35, P<0.01) scores than African Americans participants, and differences remained after adjustment for age, disease duration, education, and income. Small-to-moderate correlations were observed between 30STS and both CVLT-II and SDMT for Caucasian (r=0.236, r=0.294) and African American (r=0.237, r=0.356) participants.

African American participants with MS demonstrated lower verbal and physical performance than Caucasian participants. Cognitive-motor coupling was evident in both groups, indicating interconnected cognitive and physical function. We support the feasibility of remote assessment and highlight opportunities for interventions targeting both domains to improve MS outcomes.