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Operationalising cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: a Gordian knot that can be cut?

Harrison, A. M.; das Nair, Roshan; Moss-Morris, Rona

Operationalising cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: a Gordian knot that can be cut? Thumbnail


Authors

A. M. Harrison

ROSHAN NAIR Roshan.dasnair@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology

Rona Moss-Morris



Abstract

Background: Researchers have attempted to operationalise objective measures of cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis (MS) to overcome the perceived subjectivity of patient-reported outcomes of fatigue (PROs). Measures of cognitive fatigability examine decrements in performance during sustained neurocognitive tasks.


Objective: This personal viewpoint briefly summarises available evidence for measures of cognitive fatigability in MS and considers their overall utility.


Results: Studies suggest there may be a construct that is distinct from self-reported fatigue, reflecting a new potential intervention target. However, assessments vary and findings across and within measures are inconsistent. Few measures have been guided by a coherent theory, and those identified are likely to be influenced by other confounds, such as cognitive impairment caused more directly by disease processes, depression and assessment biases.


Conclusion: Future research may benefit from (a) developing a guiding theory of cognitive fatigability, (b) examining ecological and construct validity of existing assessments and (c) exploring whether the more promising cognitive fatigability measures are correlated with impaired functioning after accounting for possible confounds. Given the issues raised, we caution that our purposes as researchers may be better served by continuing our search for a more objective cognitive fatigability construct that runs in parallel with improving, rather than devaluing, current PROs.

Citation

Harrison, A. M., das Nair, R., & Moss-Morris, R. (in press). Operationalising cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: a Gordian knot that can be cut?. Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical, https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458516681862

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 9, 2016
Online Publication Date Nov 30, 2016
Deposit Date Dec 7, 2016
Publicly Available Date Dec 7, 2016
Journal Multiple Sclerosis Journal
Electronic ISSN 2055-2173
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458516681862
Keywords Cognitive fatigability, Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/826289
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458516681862
Additional Information Copyright © 2016 by SAGE Publications
Contract Date Dec 7, 2016

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