Abstract
The strategies used to perform a verbal fluency task appear to be reflective of cognitive abilities necessary for successful daily functioning. In the present study, we explored potential differences in verbal fluency strategies (switching and clustering) used to maximize word production by patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) versus patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). We further assessed impairment rates and potential differences in the sensitivity and specificity of phonological versus semantic verbal fluency tasks in discriminating between those with a diagnosis of MS and healthy adults. We found that the overall rate of impaired verbal fluency in our MS sample was consistent with that in other studies. However, we found no differences between types of MS (SPMS, RRMS), on semantic or phonological fluency word production, or the strategies used to maximize semantic fluency. In contrast, we found that the number of switches differed significantly in the phonological fluency task between the SPMS and RRMS subtypes. The clinical utility of semantic versus phonological fluency in discriminating MS patients from healthy controls did not indicate any significant differences. Further, the strategies used to maximize performance did not differentiate MS subgroups or MS patients from healthy controls.
Highlights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating, autoimmune disease of the nervous system that usually presents with a relapsing-remitting, and later a progressive, course
Community functioning was beyond the scope of the present study, we considered verbal uency performance a potentially important indicator of cognitive processes used in situations requiring generation of an organized approach to achieve successful responding
In another study examining the use of strategies for maximizing word production, Tröster et al [11] found that patients with MS produced more words than healthy controls; more interesting, was their compromised ability to switch between semantic or phonemic subcategories, despite producing an average number of words within each subcategory
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating, autoimmune disease of the nervous system that usually presents with a relapsing-remitting, and later a progressive, course. Both the course of the illness and the presentation of motor and cognitive symptoms in terms of type and severity can vary signi cantly from one individual to another [1]. In another study examining the use of strategies for maximizing word production, Tröster et al [11] found that patients with MS produced more words than healthy controls; more interesting, was their compromised ability to switch between semantic or phonemic subcategories, despite producing an average number of words within each subcategory. E aim of the current study was to explore (a) potential differences in strategies (switching and clustering) used to maximize word production by patients with RRMS versus SPMS, (b) impairment rates of verbal uency (semantic and phonological) in MS patients, and (c) potential differences in the sensitivity and speci city of phonological versus semantic verbal uency tasks in discriminating between those with a diagnosis of MS and healthy adults
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