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Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Supervisor

Johnson, Andrew M

Abstract

Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) commonly experience cognitive fatigue (CF), defined as a decrease in cognitive performance over a sustained activity and measured objectively or subjectively. In the present research, we evaluated the extent to which depression, anxiety, information processing speed, sleep quality, and disease severity predict subjective and objective CF, in a sample of 55 PwMS (37 females, M = 44.23). Although no statistically significant predictors of objective CF were demonstrated, all variables predicted subjective CF, R2adj = .384 [F (6, 40) = 5.783, p = .0002]. In particular, depression and information processing speed were found to be significant predictors of subjective CF when controlling for anxiety, sleep quality, and disease severity. Findings are discussed in the context of treating subjective CF through treatment of these affective and cognitive factors (e.g., through psychotherapy).

Summary for Lay Audience

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that causes physical and cognitive impairments. Among them, is cognitive fatigue (CF) which is objectively defined as a decrease in cognitive performance over a sustained cognitive activity. CF can be measured objectively, by measuring performance during a cognitive task, or subjectively, in which persons with MS (PwMS) report the level of CF they experience on average. In the current research, we evaluated the extent to which depression, anxiety, information processing speed, sleep quality, and disease disability predict subjective and objective CF, in a sample of 55 PwMS (37 females, M = 44.23 years of age). While there were no significant predictors of objective CF, all variables predicted subjective CF, R2adj = .384 [F (6, 40) = 5.783, p = .0002]. In particular, depression and information processing speed were found to be significant predictors of subjective CF when anxiety, sleep quality, and disease disability were controlled for. Findings are discussed in the context of treating subjective CF through treatment of these affective and cognitive factors (e.g., through psychotherapy).

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