Remote administration of BICAMS measures and the Trail-Making Test to assess cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

Reliable remote cognitive testing could provide a safer assessment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter. Here we aimed to investigate the reliability and feasibility of administering Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) and the Trail-Making Test (TMT) to people with MS online. Between-group differences on BICAMS and the TMT were examined in a sample of 68 participants. Group 1 (N = 34) was tested in-person pre-pandemic. Group 2 was tested remotely. Within-group differences for in-person and virtual administrations were examined for Group 1. No significant differences between virtual and in-person administrations of the CVLT-II and SDMT were detected. BVMT-R scores were significantly higher for virtual administrations (M = 20.59, SD = 6.65) compared to in-person administrations (M = 16.35, SD = 6.05), possibly indicating inter-rater differences. Strong positive correlations were found for in-person and virtual scores within Group 1 on the CVLT-II (r = .84), SDMT (r = .85), TMT-A (r = .88), TMT-B (r = .76) and BVMT-R (r = .72). No significant differences between in-person and remote administrations of CVLT-II and SDMT in people living with MS were detected. Recommendations for future studies employing the TMT and BVMT-R online are provided.

Evaluating the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a Cognitive Occupation-Based programme for people with Multiple Sclerosis (COB-MS): an update to the protocol for a feasibility cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive difficulties experienced by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) impact on quality of life and daily functioning, from childcare and work to social and self-care activities. The Cognitive Occupation-Based programme for people with MS (COB-MS) was developed as a holistic, individualised cognitive rehabilitation intervention to address the wide-ranging symptoms and functional difficulties that present in MS, including the ability to maintain employment, social activities, home management and self-care. The aim of the research is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of COB-MS for people with MS. METHODS: Due to the impacts of COVID-19, trial activities that were planned for in-person delivery were completed remotely. One hundred and twenty people with MS will be assigned to participate in either the COB-MS programme or a treatment-as-usual, wait-list control group as part of this single-blind, cluster-randomised controlled feasibility and preliminary efficacy trial of the COB-MS programme. The COB-MS group will participate in an eight-session occupational-based cognitive rehabilitation programme over 9 weeks. The COB-MS intervention was planned for in-person delivery but was delivered online by occupational therapists to small groups of people with MS. The primary outcome measure is the Goal Attainment Scaling at 12 weeks. Participants will be assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, 12 weeks post-intervention and 6 months post-intervention. Qualitative evaluations of participants' perspectives will also be examined as part of the feasibility study. Data, due to be collected in-person, was collected online or by post. The original study design, including the statistical analysis plan, remains unchanged despite the shift to a remote trial conduct. DISCUSSION: Results will provide recommendations for a future definitive trial of COB-MS, with respect to both feasibility and preliminary, clinical efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ISRCTN11462710 . Registered on 9 September 2019 and updated on 23 September 2020 to account for changes outlined here.

Dating with a Diagnosis: The Lived Experience of People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition which usually manifests between the ages of 20-40 years. This is a critical period for developing relationships, particularly romantic relationships. People with MS can experience sexual dysfunction, limb weakness, fatigue, pain, reduced mood and bladder/bowel dysfunction; potentially affecting their ability to participate in many meaningful activities, including those associated with romantic relationships, dating or engaging in sexual intercourse. Dating or starting romantic relationships can be difficult for people with physical disabilities as they can experience stigma, negative societal attitudes and the fear of requiring care from potential partners. Dating experiences of people with progressive conditions like MS have not been explored in detail. The aim of this study was to develop a rich understanding of how living with MS interacts with/influences dating and developing romantic relationships. The study used a descriptive phenomenological design and a purposive sampling strategy. Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological method was used to analyze the data (Colaizzi, 1978). Five females and two males, aged 23-51, participated in two online focus groups. Dating with a diagnosis of MS is a highly personal phenomenon, characterized by individual differences in values and experiences. Core to the phenomenon was personal decision-making about disclosure of the diagnosis and ongoing adaptation to the fluctuating nature of the condition with partners in new/developing relationships. The findings will help health professionals working with adults with MS understand this important aspect of their lives.