Multitasking in multiple sclerosis: can it inform vocational functioning?
OBJECTIVE
To examine associations between multitasking ability defined by performance on a complex task integrating multiple cognitive domains and vocational functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Survey data collection.


METHODS
Laboratory with referrals from an outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Community-dwelling individuals with MS (N=30) referred between October 2011 and June 2012.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The modified Six Elements Test (SET) to measure multitasking ability, Fatigue Severity Scale to measure fatigue, several neuropsychological measures of executive functioning, and vocational status.


RESULTS
Among the sample, 60% of individuals have reduced their work hours because of MS symptoms (cutback employment group) and 40% had maintained their work hours. Among both groups, SET performance was significantly associated with performance on several measures of neuropsychological functioning. Individuals in the cutback employment group demonstrated significantly worse overall performance on the SET (P=.041). Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between SET performance and vocational status, while accounting for neuropsychological performance and fatigue. The overall model was significant (χ(2)3=8.65, P=.032), with fatigue [Exp(B)=.83, P=.01] and multitasking ability [Exp(B)=.60, P=.043] retained as significant predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
Multitasking ability may play an important role in performance at work for individuals with MS. Given that multitasking was associated with vocational functioning, future efforts should assess the usefulness of incorporating multitasking ability into rehabilitation planning.
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Chelsea L
CL
Morse
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: schultheis@drexel.edu.
Maria T
MT
Schultheis
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Joshua D
JD
McKeever
Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Thomas
T
Leist
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D004651:Employment; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
BDI-II; Beck Depression Inventory-II; COWA; Cognition; Controlled Oral Word Association; Employment; FSS; Fatigue Severity Scale; GDS; Global Deficit Score; MS; Multiple sclerosis; Neuropsychology; PASAT; Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test; Rehabilitation; SDMT; SET; Symbol Digit Modalities Test; modified Six Elements Test; multiple sclerosis