Kessler Foundation researchers conducted a recent review exploring how neuropsychological assessment is related to predicting performance in everyday life activities among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The article, “Beyond cognitive dysfunction: Relevance of ecological validity of neuropsychological tests in multiple sclerosis,” was published on August 30, 2019 by the Multiple Sclerosis Journal as part of a special issue on rehabilitation.
Erica Weber, PhD, and John DeLuca, PhD, both from Kessler Foundation, collaborated with Yael Goverover, PhD, a visiting scientist at Kessler Foundation from New York University, in a recent review that explored the relationship between neuropsychological assessment and predictability of performance of everyday life activities among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Drs. Weber and Goverover are former Switzer fellows, an award given by the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research to postdoctoral fellows who have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities through their research. The article was epublished on August 30, 2019 by the Multiple Sclerosis Journal in a special issue on rehabilitation.
The Kessler Foundation researchers conducted a review to investigate whether the performance of individuals with neurological diseases, such as MS, on neuropsychological tests accurately reflects their ability to perform everyday activities. The study aimed to determine if neuropsychological tests are ecologically valid and can be used as a useful tool for clinicians in evaluating the cognitive effects on individuals’ everyday functioning.
According to Dr. Weber, a research scientist in the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation, the team found that neuropsychological tests do have predictive value for individuals’ behavior in real life settings. However, she explained that while these tests are ecologically valid in the population with MS, other measures must also be considered in clinical evaluations to fully understand the impact of the disease on everyday function. Dr. Weber emphasized that everyday life is complex and there is no single measure that can predict performance of complex daily activities, especially in the case of MS.
In order to meet the clinical requirements of people with MS, it is necessary to examine neuropsychological testing within a broader context that includes non-cognitive factors such as motor skills and demographic characteristics, as well as disease activity and disability level, fatigue and depression, and individual factors such as personality and coping style. “It is essential to note that other evaluation types used for people with MS must meet the same validity standards as neuropsychological evaluations,” Dr. Weber emphasized.
Reference
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190919142203.htm
