National institute of mental health and neurosciences (NIMHANS)
Clinical Psychology

Author Of 1 Presentation

Neuropsychology and Cognition Poster Presentation

P0816 - Neurocognition, anxiety, depression and its relation with quality of life in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (ID 1763)

Speakers
Presentation Number
P0816
Presentation Topic
Neuropsychology and Cognition

Abstract

Background

BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a neurological disease characterized initially by episodes of reversible neurological deficits, often followed by progressive neurological deterioration over time.Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is of the most common type of multiple sclerosis.Deficits in cognitive functions such as processing speed, verbal learning, and delayed recall memory are reported in patients with MS. In addition high levels of anxiety and depression are observed in these patients and known to impact on quality of life(QOL).Systematic studies on neurocognition, anxiety depression and the impact on QOLare few in number and none from India.In this context the present study was carried out.

Objectives

The present study aimed to examine cognitive deficits, anxiety, depression and the inter-relationship with QOL in RRMS. The cognitive deficits and the trait anxiety were compared with healthy controls(HC).

Methods

Patients with RRMS (n=21) and matched healthy controls (HC) (n=21) comprised the sample. RRMS and HC were assessed on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – IV(India), selected Neuropsychologicaltests from NIMHANS Neuropsychological test battery, Spielberg’s State –Trait anxiety inventory, Patient’s Health Questionnairefor depression and MS QOL. The research design was cross-sectional and prospective in naturewith purposive sampling method.

Results

Patients with RRMS performed poorly on all the neurocognitive tests compared to HC. The performance was significantly affected on tests of working memory (p<0.009), verbal encoding and learning and visuo-constructive ability (p<0.05). RRMS had high score on trait anxiety and differed from HC (p<0.01). Moderate level of state anxiety and mild depression was found in the patient group. QOL was affected the most in physical health domain, followed mental health domain of functioning. There was significant positive correlation between verbal memory and QOL(p=0.01);visual memory and QOL(p<0.05); significant negative correlation between intelligence quotient and trait anxiety(p<0.05); anxiety, depression, and QOL(p<0.01) anxiety. Also, the performance on interference list during the verbal learning test-significantly differed(p<0.01) and correlated with QOL(p<0.01) and with anxiety and depression(p<0.05).

Conclusions

The unique findings of the current study were significant high trait anxiety in RRMS, significant positive correlation between specific cognitive functions and QOL.In view of very limited research in the given area globally and lack of comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation in Indian context, the current study is an attempt to fill the gap.Future studies on a larger sample size for better assessment of predictability of variables and generalizability of findings is underscored.

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Presenter Of 1 Presentation

Neuropsychology and Cognition Poster Presentation

P0816 - Neurocognition, anxiety, depression and its relation with quality of life in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (ID 1763)

Speakers
Presentation Number
P0816
Presentation Topic
Neuropsychology and Cognition

Abstract

Background

BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a neurological disease characterized initially by episodes of reversible neurological deficits, often followed by progressive neurological deterioration over time.Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is of the most common type of multiple sclerosis.Deficits in cognitive functions such as processing speed, verbal learning, and delayed recall memory are reported in patients with MS. In addition high levels of anxiety and depression are observed in these patients and known to impact on quality of life(QOL).Systematic studies on neurocognition, anxiety depression and the impact on QOLare few in number and none from India.In this context the present study was carried out.

Objectives

The present study aimed to examine cognitive deficits, anxiety, depression and the inter-relationship with QOL in RRMS. The cognitive deficits and the trait anxiety were compared with healthy controls(HC).

Methods

Patients with RRMS (n=21) and matched healthy controls (HC) (n=21) comprised the sample. RRMS and HC were assessed on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – IV(India), selected Neuropsychologicaltests from NIMHANS Neuropsychological test battery, Spielberg’s State –Trait anxiety inventory, Patient’s Health Questionnairefor depression and MS QOL. The research design was cross-sectional and prospective in naturewith purposive sampling method.

Results

Patients with RRMS performed poorly on all the neurocognitive tests compared to HC. The performance was significantly affected on tests of working memory (p<0.009), verbal encoding and learning and visuo-constructive ability (p<0.05). RRMS had high score on trait anxiety and differed from HC (p<0.01). Moderate level of state anxiety and mild depression was found in the patient group. QOL was affected the most in physical health domain, followed mental health domain of functioning. There was significant positive correlation between verbal memory and QOL(p=0.01);visual memory and QOL(p<0.05); significant negative correlation between intelligence quotient and trait anxiety(p<0.05); anxiety, depression, and QOL(p<0.01) anxiety. Also, the performance on interference list during the verbal learning test-significantly differed(p<0.01) and correlated with QOL(p<0.01) and with anxiety and depression(p<0.05).

Conclusions

The unique findings of the current study were significant high trait anxiety in RRMS, significant positive correlation between specific cognitive functions and QOL.In view of very limited research in the given area globally and lack of comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation in Indian context, the current study is an attempt to fill the gap.Future studies on a larger sample size for better assessment of predictability of variables and generalizability of findings is underscored.

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