Reassessing rumination: Validity of the Day Reconstruction Method for Rumination (DRM-R) to assess episodes of rumination in daily life.

Rumination is a robust vulnerability to depression and potential treatment target. However, we know relatively little about rumination in daily life. This study tested the validity of a new approach for assessing daily episodes of rumination, the Day Reconstruction Method for Rumination (DRM-R).

Predicting employment deterioration with the Processing Speed Test (PST) and SDMT in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Employment deterioration is common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Clinicians often learn of job loss after its occurrence, leaving no opportunity for preventive measures.

Objectives: Identify which neuropsychological measures discriminate between healthy volunteers (HVs) and employed/disabled PwMS at baseline and predict work deterioration over 2 years.

Preliminary Support of a Behavioral Intervention for Trait Conscientiousness in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Conscientiousness, or the proclivity for deliberation, achievement, and order, declines in many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Decreased conscientiousness predicts future cognitive deterioration, brain atrophy, and employment loss in individuals with MS. As a psychological trait, it may be an actionable antecedent to these important outcomes.

Interpreting change on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis using the reliable change methodology.

Background: The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is increasingly utilized in clinical trials. A SDMT score change of 4 points is considered clinically important, based on association with employment anchors. Optimal thresholds for statistically reliable SDMT changes, accounting for test reliability and measurement error, are yet to be applied to individual cases.

Benchmarks of meaningful improvement on neurocognitive tests in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Previous studies have established benchmarks of clinically meaningful decline on neuropsychological tests. However, little is known about meaningful testing benchmarks based on gains in function.

Objective: Investigate neuropsychological changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with work gains and calculate benchmarks of meaningful improvement on neuropsychological tests.

Staging and stratifying cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The sequence in which cognitive domains become impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS) is yet to be formally demonstrated. It is unclear whether processing speed dysfunction temporally precedes other cognitive impairments, such as memory and executive function.

Objective: Determine the order in which different cognitive domains become impaired in MS and validate these findings using clinical and vocational outcomes.

Quantifying cognition and fatigue to enhance the sensitivity of the EDSS during relapses.

Background: Cognition is affected by relapses in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), yet the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) does not readily detect cognitive changes.

Objective: The objective of this study is to improve the detection of cognitive decline during relapses, by incorporating the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) into the cerebral Functional System Score (CFSS) of the EDSS.

Methods: This prospective study recruited PwMS from three dedicated MS centers.

Conscientiousness and deterioration in employment status in multiple sclerosis over 3 years.

Background: Physical and cognitive symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) correlate with unemployment cross-sectionally. Prospective studies, rarely published, have not accounted for personality traits such as Conscientiousness.

Methods: In a 3-year study of 70 people with MS (PwMS) and 25 healthy controls (HCs), we evaluated employment status using online interviews capturing hours worked, negative work events, employee relations, and accommodations.

Functional Connectivity and Structural Disruption in the Default-Mode Network Predicts Cognitive Rehabilitation Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Efficacy of restorative cognitive rehabilitation can be predicted from baseline patient factors. In addition, patient profiles of functional connectivity are associated with cognitive reserve and moderate the structure-cognition relationship in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Such interactions may help predict which PwMS will benefit most from cognitive rehabilitation.

Recovery of cognitive function after relapse in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) but its manifestation as acute disease activity is underappreciated.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine recovery after MS relapse on multiple tests of cognitive and motor function and explore correlates of change with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cognitive reserve.

Methods: Fifty relapsing group (RG) and matched stable participants were examined at baseline, during relapse, and at 3-month follow-up.

Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review.

Background: The proliferation of computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) for screening and monitoring cognitive impairment is increasing exponentially. Previous reviews of computerized tests for multiple sclerosis (MS) were primarily qualitative and did not rigorously compare CNADs on psychometric properties.

Objective: We aimed to systematically review the literature on the use of CNADs in MS and identify test batteries and single tests with good evidence for reliability and validity.

Response heterogeneity to home-based restorative cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: An exploratory study.

Background: Growing evidence supports the efficacy of restorative cognitive training in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but the effects vary across individuals. Differences in treatment efficacy may be related to baseline individual differences. We investigated clinical characteristics and MRI variables to predict response to a previously validated approach to home-based restorative cognitive training.

Trait Conscientiousness predicts rate of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Conscientiousness is a core personality trait with favorable prognosis in neuropsychiatric disease.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether baseline Conscientiousness predicts future brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) after accounting for demographic and basic clinical characteristics.

Methods: Trait Conscientiousness, clinical features, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were obtained at baseline.

Trait Conscientiousness predicts rate of longitudinal SDMT decline in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibit cognitive decline over several years. Baseline differences may put people at greater risk for such decline.

Objective: To characterize rates of longitudinal cognitive decline and investigate baseline clinical predictors.

Necessity of technicians for computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Determine the influence of technician supervision on computer-administered cognitive tests in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Eighty MS patients underwent assessment using the CogState Brief Battery (CSBB) and the Cleveland Clinic Cognitive Battery (C3B). Each was administered twice, once with a technician guiding assessment, and once with technician-absent.

Group Counseling in the College Setting: An International Survey of Center Directors.

The purpose of this study is to obtain updated descriptive statistics pertaining to group therapy programs at counseling centers accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS) as well as to explore potential factors that predict the success of group therapy programs in this setting. Surveys were sent to counseling center directors across the United States and Canada, yielding a response rate of 39.36% (n = 74).