Mood In Multiple Sclerosis Research Articles

Association of personality traits with physical function, cognition, and mood in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundGrowing literature supports the hypothesis that personality influences health outcomes. Few studies have examined the association between personality traits and key clinical manifestations in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). ObjectiveTo investigate whether personality traits are associated with physical function, cognition, and depression in persons with MS. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from two cohorts (UPMC, n = 365 and CUIMC, n = 129). Participants completed a personality scale (assessing neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) and validated surveys measuring physical function, cognition, and depression. Stepwise linear regressions were used to evaluate associations between personality traits and outcome measures. ResultsConsistently across cohorts, higher extraversion was associated with better physical function, whereas higher neuroticism was associated with worse depression. In the first cohort, higher extraversion was associated with better cognition, while higher neuroticism was associated with greater risk for memory impairment in the second cohort. Relationships were independent of age and disease duration. ConclusionFindings suggest a potentially protective role of extraversion, and a harmful role of neuroticism, in MS-specific patient-reported clinical outcomes. Increased understanding of the interplay between personality and health outcomes may inform risk models for physical decline, cognitive impairment, and depression in pwMS.

Cognitive Fatigability is Independent of Subjective Cognitive Fatigue and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis.

Sustained cognitive testing is used to detect cognitive fatigability and is often considered a substitute for subjective cognitive fatigue (CF). However, the relationship between cognitive fatigability and subjective CF in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) remains undetermined. To explore potential associations between fatigability induced by sustained cognitive testing and subjective CF in PwMS. We gave 120 PwMS and 60 demographically matched, healthy individuals the Beck Depression Inventory-FastScreen (BDI-FS) to measure mood and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale to measure CF. In addition, we used the Quotient ADHD Test, a sustained attention test, to measure cognitive fatigability. We also explored potential correlations between the individuals' performance on the sustained attention test and thalamic volume using recent MRI scans. Forty-one (34.2%) of the PwMS exhibited cognitive fatigability. These 41 were found to be significantly older (P=0.006), had been diagnosed with the disease for longer (P=0.03), had higher scores (P<0.001) on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and had reduced thalamic volume (P=0.04) compared with the 79 (65.8%) PwMS not exhibiting cognitive fatigability. The PwMS exhibiting cognitive fatigability scored similarly on the BDI-FS (P=0.21) and self-reported similar rates of CF (P=0.62) as the PwMS not exhibiting cognitive fatigability. Cognitive fatigability induced by sustained cognitive testing is not an accurate clinical alternative to subjective CF. This study provides evidence to support cognitive fatigability and CF in PwMS as two distinct concepts.

Effects of a Single Bout of Aquatic Exercise on Mood in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.

Physical activity is known to be an effective way of managing multiple sclerosis (MS)-related symptoms. Furthermore, it has been reported that even a single bout of physical activity can yield improvements in mood in persons with MS. Aquatic exercise can be an effective and enjoyable physical activity in persons with MS. However, there is little research on the immediate effects of aquatic exercise on mood in people with MS. Thus, we assessed the acute effects of a single bout of aquatic exercise on mood. Eight adults with MS participated in a 45-minute aquatic exercise class as well as 45 minutes of a seated rest control condition. The Profile of Mood States questionnaire was given before and after each condition (rest and aquatic exercise). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and paired-samples t tests were used to examine whether aquatic exercise resulted in improvement in mood. Due to the small sample size, effect sizes were considered. Moderate-to-large effect sizes indicated a condition × time interaction such that mood increased and fatigue decreased after a single bout of aquatic exercise compared with after rest. This proof-of-concept study suggests that mood symptoms are improved immediately after a short bout of aquatic exercise. Future research is needed to explore whether these effects are reliable and whether they can be sustained with more frequent bouts of aquatic exercise.

Behavioural Activation for Low Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Behavioural Activation for Low Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Anger, Quality of Life and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: To investigate the role of different anger variables in predicting quality of life and mood in multiple sclerosis (MS), while controlling for disease severity. Methods: 78 individuals with MS completed questionnaire measures of anger (Anger Rumination Scale and State/Trait Anger Expression Inventory), mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale); disease severity (Patient Determined Disease Steps) and quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF). Results: Anger was significantly associated with quality of life (QoL) in MS. Higher levels of experienced anger and lack of control over the experience of anger predicted lower psychological and environmental QoL. Depression levels were also predicted by high levels of experienced anger and lack of control over anger. In contrast, ruminating about anger was the strongest predictor of anxiety levels. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that feelings of anger are strongly associated with QoL in MS, even when disease severity is taken into account. Problems in controlling and ruminating about anger may also contribute to mood disorder in MS.

Anger, Quality of Life and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Anger, Quality of Life and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Natalizumab May Improve Cognition and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Immunomodulating therapies may prevent relapses in multiple sclerosis and stabilize neurological status. However, little is known about the influence particularly of newer drugs on cognitive functions. We conducted an open-label prospective study to demonstrate whether natalizumab is apt to improve cognitive functions and mood in 29 patients tested psychometrically while under treatment for 6 months. We found improvements in some measures of attention, memory, mood, and well-being, but no deterioration, although patients suffered from their diseases for more than 10 years and had an EDSS score of 3.5. It is concluded that natalizumab is able to stabilize or improve cognition and mood even in longer-lasting multiple sclerosis.

Contributing factors to depressed mood in multiple sclerosis

By applying the behavioral theory of Lewinsohn et al. [1985. An integrative theory of depression. In: S. Reiss, & R. R. Bootzin (Eds.), Theoretical issues in behavior therapy (pp. 331–359). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.] to multiple sclerosis (MS), it was hypothesized that physical disability, fatigue, and psychosocial dysfunction would be significantly predictive of depressed mood in MS patients. Seventy-six MS patients completed the following measures: the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), and the mood subscale from the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI). Structural equation modeling revealed that physical disability and fatigue were indirectly predictive of depressed mood via their effects on recreational functioning. Fatigue also had a direct effect on mood. If reductions in recreational activities actually cause decrements in mood, depressed mood in MS may be treatable by helping patients identify recreational activities that they can enjoy regardless of physical or fatigue-related difficulties.

Contributing factors to depressed mood in multiple sclerosis

By applying the behavioral theory of Lewinsohn et al. [1985. An integrative theory of depression. In: S. Reiss, & R. R. Bootzin (Eds.), Theoretical issues in behavior therapy (pp. 331-359). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.] to multiple sclerosis (MS), it was hypothesized that physical disability, fatigue, and psychosocial dysfunction would be significantly predictive of depressed mood in MS patients. Seventy-six MS patients completed the following measures: the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), and the mood subscale from the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI). Structural equation modeling revealed that physical disability and fatigue were indirectly predictive of depressed mood via their effects on recreational functioning. Fatigue also had a direct effect on mood. If reductions in recreational activities actually cause decrements in mood, depressed mood in MS may be treatable by helping patients identify recreational activities that they can enjoy regardless of physical or fatigue-related difficulties.

Depressed mood in multiple sclerosis: relationship to capacity-demanding memory and attentional functioning.

Because it is theorized that depression results in reduced available attentional capacity that, in turn, can explain the impaired performance on capacity-demanding tasks in depressed individuals, the authors predicted that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with depressed mood would have difficulty with these types of tasks. Twenty depressed mood MS participants were compared with 41 nondepressed mood MS participants and 8 nondepressed mood controls on 5 attentional capacity-demanding clinical memory and attentional tasks and 3 tasks with minimal capacity demands. Depressed mood MS patients performed significantly worse than both nondepressed mood groups on the 3 speeded capacity-demanding attentional measures but not on any of the tasks requiring few capacity demands, supporting the authors' predictions. The possibility that the impaired performance of depressed mood MS patients on speeded attentional tasks was mediated by reduced verbal working memory capacity, impaired deployment of executive strategies that access working memory capacity, or psychomotor slowing is explored.

Depressed mood in multiple sclerosis: Relationship to capacity-demanding memory and attentional functioning.

Because it is theorized that depression results in reduced available attentional capacity that, in turn, can explain the impaired performance on capacity-demanding tasks in depressed individuals, the authors predicted that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with depressed mood would have difficulty with these types of tasks. Twenty depressed mood MS participants were compared with 41 nondepressed mood MS participants and 8 nondepressed mood controls on 5 attentional capacity-demanding clinical memory and attentional tasks and 3 tasks with minimal capacity demands. Depressed mood MS patients performed significantly worse than both nondepressed mood groups on the 3 speeded capacity-demanding attentional measures but not on any of the tasks requiring few capacity demands, supporting the authors' predictions. The possibility that the impaired performance of depressed mood MS patients on speeded attentional tasks was mediated by reduced verbal working memory capacity, impaired deployment of executive strategies that access working memory capacity, or psychomotor slowing is explored.

An etiological model of depressed mood in multiple sclerosis (MS)

An etiological model of depressed mood in multiple sclerosis (MS)

An etiological model of depressed mood in multiple sclerosis (MS)

An etiological model of depressed mood in multiple sclerosis (MS)

Psychoimmunological Dysregulation in Multiple Sclerosis

Studies examining the relationship between immunologic and psychologic states have been conducted primarily on medically healthy adults experiencing psychological distress. The overall findings point to an association between distress and cell-mediated immunodysregulation. The current study sought to extend the psychoimmunologic literature by examining the relationship between mood and immunity in persons with a preexisting hyperimmune disorder: multiple sclerosis (MS). Psychologic, neurologic, and immunologic status were examined in 15 carefully screened MS patients. Disease-specific (hyperimmune) dysregulation was related to psychologic distress, hut not to severity of disease. The relationship between immunity and mood in MS is discussed.