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Perceived and Objective Attentional Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis

Published Online:September 14, 2015https://doi.org/10.1024/1016-264X/a000153

Abstract

Abstract. Initially we assessed self-rated cognitive deficits, depression and quality of life in MS patients and healthy controls (n = 299) by an online survey. Secondly, attention performance of MS outpatients (n = 33) was objectively assessed by the Test battery for Attention Performance and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Overall, MS patients rated themselves significantly worse than controls in attentional functioning. This was reflected by a weak performance in objective tests of phasic alertness and divided attention of the MS patients compared to normative data. Subscales of subjective cognitive functioning in the online survey showed significant associations with objective measures after statistical controlling for depression (r = .370 to r = .517). Results show the differences in perceived cognitive performance between MS patients and healthy controls, and self-reported instrument are able to provide relevant information on complex attention performance and hereby on everyday functioning.


Wahrgenommene und objektive Aufmerksamkeitsdefizite bei Multiple Sklerose

Zusammenfassung. In einer Onlineumfrage wurden wahrgenommene kognitive Beeinträchtigungen, Depression und Lebensqualität bei MS Patienten und gesunden Kontrollpersonen (n = 299) erhoben. In einem zweiten Schritt wurde die objektive Aufmerksamkeitsleistung in einer Klinikkohorte mit MS Patienten (n = 33) mit der Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung (TAP) sowie dem Symbol Digit and Modalities Test (SDMT) erhoben. MS Patienten bewerteten ihre Aufmerksamkeitsleistungen signifikant schlechter als Gesunde. Die Klinikkohorte zeigte schlechtere Leistungen in den objektiven Tests (phasische Alertness und geteilte Aufmerksamkeit) verglichen mit Normwerten. Subjektive Tests korrelierten signifikant mit objektiven Tests nachdem für Depression kontrolliert wurde (r = .370 bis r = .517). MS Patienten unterscheiden sich von Gesunden in der Wahrnehmung ihrer kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit und Fragebögen bilden wichtige zusätzliche Informationen zum kognitiven Erleben und Funktionieren und somit zum täglichen Leben der MS Patienten ab.

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