Understanding use and predictors of compensatory cognitive strategies in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and affects daily functioning. Compensatory cognitive strategies can help mitigate these challenges, but their naturalistic use and predictors remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the frequency and types of strategies used and to determine whether demographics, objective cognitive function, or perceived cognitive function are independently associated with the use of compensatory strategies.

Temporal Association Between Reported Use of Psychoactive Substances and Cognitive Function in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective: To examine same-day within-person associations between psychoactive substance use and cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).

Design: This secondary analysis used data collected over 14 days from people with MS.

Setting: Community PARTICIPANTS: Ambulatory adults with MS.

Hypnosis and mindfulness audio recordings for reducing fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Fatigue is a common problem in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects on fatigue of having 4 weeks of access to audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation (MM) practices.

Methods: A total of 333 individuals with MS and fatigue were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment conditions for 28 weeks: (1) access to therapeutic HYP audio recordings, (2) access to MM audio recordings, or (3) no access to recordings (treatment as usual or TAU).

Determining minimal clinically important differences in ecological momentary assessment measures of fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: Fatigue is a common debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) provides a more reliable and sensitive assessment of fatigue outcomes relative to traditional recall surveys; however, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for EMA fatigue outcomes has not been established.

Methods: MCIDs for EMA fatigue intensity and fatigue interference (0-10 numerical rating scale) that were assessed as outcomes in a pragmatic randomized clinical trial of three fatigue interventions were determined using two statistical approaches.

Medical comorbidities in adults newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome: An observational study exploring prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes.

Background: Comorbidity is common in people with MS (PwMS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), but research exploring factors associated with comorbidity and impacts on health outcomes in newly diagnosed PwMS and CIS is limited. This study aimed to (1) report the prevalence of medical comorbidities in newly diagnosed PwMS and CIS, (2) explore the relationship between comorbidity and demographic factors, (3) examine the relationship between comorbidities and outcomes one year following diagnosis, accounting for baseline outcomes to assess change over time, and (4) explore if these relationships differ with comorbidity treatment.

Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected from a longitudinal, observational study of adults newly diagnosed with MS or CIS 1 month and 12 months after diagnosis (N = 230).

Feasibility, reliability, and validity of ambulatory smartphone-administered cognitive tests in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Detection of subtle changes in cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be enabled by ambulatory smartphone-based cognitive tests.

Objective: To examine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of ambulatory cognitive tests in people with MS.

Method: Adults with MS ( = 255) completed the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test-3, and 14 days of 4X/day ambulatory cognitive tests of working memory (dot memory) and processing speed (symbol search).

Comparative effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy, modafinil, and their combination for treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis (COMBO-MS): a randomised, statistician-blinded, parallel-arm trial.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms reported by people with multiple sclerosis. Although behavioural and pharmacological interventions might be partly beneficial, their combined effects have not been evaluated for multiple sclerosis fatigue, or examined with sufficient consideration of characteristics that might affect treatment response. In this comparative effectiveness research trial, we compared the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), modafinil, and their combination for treating multiple sclerosis fatigue.

Optimizing Detection and Prediction of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis With Ambulatory Cognitive Tests: Protocol for the Longitudinal Observational CogDetect-MS Study.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a common problem in multiple sclerosis (MS). Progress toward understanding and treating cognitive dysfunction is thwarted by the limitations of traditional cognitive tests, which demonstrate poor sensitivity and ecological validity. Ambulatory methods of assessing cognitive function in the lived environment may improve the detection of subtle changes in cognitive function and the identification of predictors of cognitive changes and downstream effects of cognitive change on other functional domains.

People with multiple sclerosis help design a tool to measure physical functioning and how it affects their daily lives: a plain language summary.

What Is This Summary About?: This summary describes how researchers worked with people with multiple sclerosis (MS), neurologists and measurement experts to create an easy-to-use questionnaire to measure the physical function of people with MS. This questionnaire covers topics that are relevant and important to people with MS and their doctors.The ability to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, is one of the most important concerns for people with MS.

Characterizing cannabis use in a sample of adults with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain: An observational study.

Background: Although cannabis has become an increasingly common method for pain management among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the types of cannabis products used as well as the characteristics of cannabis users. The current study aimed to (1) describe the prevalence of cannabis use and the routes of administration of cannabis products in adults with an existing chronic pain condition and MS, (2) to examine differences in demographic and disease-related variables between cannabis users and non-users, and (3) to examine differences between cannabis users and non-users in pain-related variables, including pain intensity, pain interference, neuropathic pain, pain medication use, and pain-related coping.

Methods: Secondary analysis of baseline data from participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic pain (N = 242) enrolled in an RCT comparing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and usual care for chronic pain.

Self-efficacy trajectories of individuals newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose/objective: The first year following a new multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis may be a critical time for individuals as they learn to manage their disease. Effective self-management of MS likely requires healthy self-efficacy levels, yet little is known about self-efficacy in the postdiagnosis period. This study aims to improve our understanding of self-efficacy in individuals newly diagnosed with MS by examining self-efficacy trajectories and identifying patient characteristics associated with trajectories in the first postdiagnosis year.

A comparison of anxiety symptoms and correlates of anxiety in people with progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Anxiety appears to be more prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population, though it is unclear if anxiety varies by MS disease course. There are experiences unique to each disease course that might increase the likelihood of anxiety. Additionally, the majority of research in MS has focused on people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), while the experiences of people with progressive forms of MS are understudied.

The validity, responsiveness, and score interpretation of the PROMISnq Physical Function - Multiple Sclerosis 15a short form in multiple sclerosis.

Background: A valid, sensitive patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of physical function (PF) for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) would have substantial value in routine care and clinical research. We now describe development of the PROMISnq Short Form v2.0 PF - Multiple Sclerosis 15a [PROMISnq PF(MS)15a] for assessing PF in relapsing and progressive MS.

Extension and Evaluation of the PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measures for Use in Adults Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Sexual dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Clinically meaningful and psychometrically sound measures of sexual function validated in people with MS are necessary to identify people with MS who experience problems with sexual function.

Aim: To evaluate the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction (SexFS) v2.

Patient-Centered Framework for Rehabilitation Research in Outpatient Settings.

Conducting high-quality clinical research is dependent on merging scientific rigor with the clinical environment. This is often a complex endeavor that may include numerous barriers and competing interests. Overcoming these challenges and successfully integrating clinical research programs into clinical practice settings serving rehabilitation outpatients is beneficial from both a logistical perspective (eg, supports efficient and successful research procedures) and the establishment of a truly patient-centered research approach.

Quality of life in individuals newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or clinically isolated syndrome.

Background: Little is known about quality of life (QOL) at the time of multiple sclerosis (MS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) diagnosis and how it evolves in the critical adjustment period immediately following a new diagnosis.

Objectives: To (1) describe QOL trajectory in the first year post-MS/CIS diagnosis and (2) examine associations of demographic and biopsychosocial factors with QOL at baseline and as it evolves over the first year post-MS/CIS diagnosis.

Methods: Participants were N = 250 individuals newly diagnosed with MS or CIS.

Outdoor Adventure Programs for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Review and Agenda for Future Research.

Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience myriad symptoms that affect functioning and quality of life (QOL). Although there are a growing number of nonpharmacologic interventions designed to improve symptom severity and interference and maximize QOL, these particular treatments are limited by barriers to accessibility and, at times, a poor patient-intervention fit. Thus, it is important to consider alternative or supplemental nonpharmacologic treatments for people with MS.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in adults with multiple sclerosis in the United States: A follow up survey during the initial vaccine rollout in 2021.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) organizations have recommended that adults with MS obtain the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to full COVID-19 inoculation in the general population. Whether vaccine hesitancy is also a barrier towards optimizing vaccination rates in the MS community is unknown.

Differences in correlates of fatigue between relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and impactful symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Yet, fatigue is less understood in progressive forms of MS, and few studies have explored the extent to which MS disease course is associated with fatigue. The current study aimed to (1) describe fatigue severity and fatigue interference (the extent to which fatigue interferes with individuals' physical, mental, and social activities) in people with progressive MS (primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS); (2) compare fatigue severity and fatigue interference in people with progressive forms of MS to people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS); and (3) identify factors associated with fatigue severity and fatigue interference in people with progressive forms of MS and RRMS.

Public health adherence and information-seeking for people with chronic conditions during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: People with chronic conditions, common among rehabilitation populations, may have risk factors that put them at higher risk for more severe illness due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: To describe and compare adherence to public health guidelines, willingness to adhere to public health guidelines (including vaccination), information-seeking, and perceived trustworthiness of information among people with and without chronic conditions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: National cross-sectional online survey of people with and without chronic health conditions conducted from April through May 2020.

Prevalence, co-occurrence, and trajectories of pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety in the year following multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Background: Pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety are common in multiple sclerosis, but little is known about the presence, co-occurrence, and trajectories of these symptoms in the year after multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.

Objectives: To determine, during the postdiagnosis year: (1) rates of pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety; (2) rates of symptom co-occurrence; and (3) stability/change in symptom severity.

Methods: Newly diagnosed adults with MS/clinically isolated syndrome ( = 230) completed self-report measures of pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after MS diagnosis.

Pain Intensity and Pain Interference in People With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Compared With People With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective: To describe pain intensity and interference in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), compare these with people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and identify common and unique factors associated with pain intensity in people with progressive MS and RRMS.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from a longitudinal survey on quality of life in participants with MS.

Setting: Community.

Development and pilot testing of a web-based symptom management program for multiple sclerosis: My MS toolkit.

We describe the process of working with stakeholders with multiple sclerosis (MS) to develop a web-based multisymptom self-management program to address chronic pain, fatigue, and/or depressive symptoms. The results of a pilot trial to test the feasibility and effects of the program are presented. The first study phase involved the development of a web-based symptom self-management program.

Willingness to obtain COVID-19 vaccination in adults with multiple sclerosis in the United States.

Background: As vaccines for the coronavirus become available, it will be important to know the rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), given that vaccination will be a key strategy for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections. Using a national sample of adults with MS in the United States obtained early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the current study aimed to: (1) assess willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine when available; (2) determine demographic, MS, and psychosocial correlates of vaccine willingness; and (3) measure where people with MS get their COVID-19 information and their perceived trustworthiness of such sources, which may influence COVID-19 vaccine willingness.

Methods: Adults with MS (N = 486) living in the United States completed a cross-sectional online survey (between 10 April 2020 and 06 May 2020) about their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccination once available.

Rapid transfer of knowledge for multiple sclerosis clinical care during COVID-19: ECHO MS.

Background: Healthcare providers caring for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have had significant concerns about the intersection of MS and COVID-19. As a result, there has been an urgency to understand and share information about how to best provide MS clinical care during COVID-19. The Project ECHO model is well-suited for this challenge, as it provides a uniquely efficient and effective approach to sharing information in real-time using real cases.