Attentional impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) entails various cognitive and psychological changes. The capacity to direct attention (CDA) is the ability to inhibit competing and distracting stimuli while processing information from the environment. A strong CDA is essential for effective functioning in daily life. The CDA may be reduced by MS lesions and by excessive attention-draining demands imposed by the disease. The purpose of this study was to assess CDA using a one-group descriptive correlational design. The sample consisted of 33 outpatients in symptom remission with relapsing-remitting MS who had virtually no physical disability. As theorized, the MS group presented with attentional deficits of varying severity, despite the presence of few physical symptoms. These deficits were unrelated to depressive symptoms. Findings indicate that nurses need to consider attentional problems even in the most early disease states. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of attentional deficits on daily life functioning and to develop nursing interventions for conservation or restoration of CDA in individuals with relapsing-remitting MS.
Jansen
D A
DA
University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Nursing 53792-2455.
Cimprich
B
B
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index