Comparison of executive functions in multiple sclerosis patients and Normal People

Background and Aim: Multiple Sclerosis is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system associated with demyelination that occurs more frequently in young adults and more commonly in women. Among the clinical symptoms that affect MS patients, cognitive impairment is the most common symptoms. Most studies state that approximately ۵۰ percent of individuals with MS may have some type of cognitive dysfunction, although some estimates are as high as ۶۰ or even ۷۰ percent. A cognitive impairment substantially impacts the lives of patients with MS and their families. Methods: This is a causal-comparative study in Tehran province. In this study, ۷ patients with diagnostic criteria for relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis and ۷ normal people include ۳ men and ۴ women with the age between ۲۵ and ۴۵ years, at least diploma education Selected using the available sampling method participated in this study. Research tools were included The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) consists of ۹ subtests (Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Design Fluency Test, Color-Word Interference Test, Sorting Test, Twenty Questions, Word Context Test, Tower Test, and Proverb Test) that generate ۱۶ main achievement scores and hundreds of optional error, contrast, accuracy, and time-interval scores and Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) consists of ۶ subtests (Temporal judgment, Rule shift cards, Action program, Key search, Zoo map, Modified six elements) which specifically assesses the skills and demands involved in everyday life. after Data collection, Data were analyzed by using SPSS v.۲۲ software. Results: The purpose of this study was to compare the executive function parameters of multiple sclerosis patients with the normal population. Conclusion: The findings indicated that patients with multiple sclerosis compared to normal population are of a lower position in the scales of executive functions so there is a statistically significant difference between two groups in components of the response time, correct response, errors of omission and commission. According to the results, cognitive flexibility, information processing speed, verbal fluency, planning and organizing, problem-solving and working memory are impaired in people with MS compared to the normal population.

کلیدواژه ها:

Executive functions ، Multiple Scleroses ، Assessment ، DKEFS ، BADS