The association between the Multiple Sclerosis Screening Questionnaire and objective measures of cognition: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Tunmore, Jessica; Kontou, Eirini; Moghaddam, Nima; Hufton, Laurie; Das Nair, Roshan

Abstract

Introduction
The Multiple Sclerosis Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ) is a self-report measure used to assess cognitive difficulties in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). The aim of this systematic review was to determine the associations between the MSNQ and: objective measures of cognition, measures of mood, and quality of life measures.

Method
A comprehensive search was done across three databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL). A total of 15 studies, including 1992 participants, were selected for final inclusion. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the pooled effect size of associations. Where data were not available for meta-analyses, a narrative synthesis approach was taken.

Results
Significant, but small (r =−0.17), associations were found between the MSNQ and objective measures of cognition. Significant, moderate associations (r =0.47) were found between the MSNQ and measures of mood.

Conclusions
The small association between the MSNQ and objective measures of cognition shows that the measures do not converge well. However, their divergence may be important to map the broad construct of “cognitive ability” more fully. Limitations include a lack of reporting of non-significant effect sizes in individual studies. Clinical implications include the potential for the MSNQ to be used beyond being solely a proxy measure for objective cognition. Future research should investigate the associations between the informant version of the MSNQ and objective measures.

Citation

Tunmore, J., Kontou, E., Moghaddam, N., Hufton, L., & Das Nair, R. (2023). The association between the Multiple Sclerosis Screening Questionnaire and objective measures of cognition: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 45(2), 197-217. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2023.2213847

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 27, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 5, 2023
• Publication Date: Jun 5, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 8, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 8, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
• Print ISSN: 1380-3395
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-411X
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 197-217
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2023.2213847
• Keywords: Self Report, Neuropsychological Tests, Multiple Sclerosis - complications - diagnosis - psychology, mood, Cognition Disorders - diagnosis - etiology - psychology, Cognition, Multiple Sclerosis, Humans, MSNQ, measurement, cognition, Quality of Life
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/21641518
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13803395.2023.2213847