Decision-making in multiple sclerosis patients: a systematic review

Neuhaus, Mireille; Calabrese, Pasquale; Annoni, Jean-Marie

doi:10.1155/2018/7835952

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Journal article

Decision-making in multiple sclerosis patients: a systematic review

Neuhaus, Mireille Unit of Neurology, University of Fribourg and Hospital of Fribourg, Switzerland
Calabrese, Pasquale Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neurology Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Platform Psychiatry and Psychology, Division of Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel, Switzerland - Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland
Annoni, Jean-Marie Unit of Neurology, University of Fribourg and Hospital of Fribourg, Switzerland - Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University and Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland

2018

Published in:

Multiple Sclerosis International. - 2018, vol. 2018, p. 7835952

English Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently associated with cognitive and behavioural deficits. A growing number of studies suggest an impact of MS on decision-making abilities. The aim of this systematic review was to assess if (1) performance of MS patients in decision-making tasks was consistently different from controls and (2) whether this modification was associated with cognitive dysfunction and emotional alterations. Methods. The search was conducted on Pubmed/Medline database. 12 studies evaluating the difference between MS patients and healthy controls using validated decision-making tasks were included. Outcomes considered were quantitative (net scores) and qualitative measurements (deliberation time and learning from feedback). Results. Quantitative and qualitative decision-making impairment in MS was present in 64.7% of measurements. Patients were equally impaired in tasks for decision-making under risk and ambiguity. A correlation to other cognitive functions was present in 50% of cases, with the highest associations in the domains of processing speed and attentional capacity. Conclusions. In MS patients, qualitative and quantitative modifications may be present in any kind of decision- making task and can appear independently of other cognitive measures. Since decision-making abilities have a significant impact on everyday life, this cognitive aspect has an influential importance in various MS-related treatment settings.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Médecine 3ème année

Language