Detecting Cognitive Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Assessing the Validity of a Computer Generated Battery
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Approximately half of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients experience cognitive deficits. Accessing neuropsychological assessment can be challenging due to the considerable time, expense, and expertise required for test administration. Computerized cognitive testing has been proposed as an alternative. The objective was to validate a computer generated cognitive screen for MS patients. Ninety-nine MS patients and 98 healthy controls completed the computerized battery consisting of the Stroop, Symbol Digit Modalities Test (C-SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PVSAT-2, PVSAT-4), and simple and choice reaction time tests. The Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS) was used to define cognitive impairment in the MS sample. A combination of the C-SDMT, PVSAT-2, PVSAT-4 had a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 87.7% in detecting cognitive impairment. Each measure had good test-retest reliability (p < 0.001). High sensitivity and specificity, and brevity emphasize the usefulness of the computerized cognitive screen in busy MS clinics.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Yelena Lapshin
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2755676171