Does Self-Efficacy Affect Cognitive Performance in Persons with Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Early Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis?

Peter Joseph Jongen; Keith Wesnes; Björn van Geel; Paul Pop; Hans Schrijver; Leo H Visser; H Jacobus Gilhuis; Ludovicus G Sinnige; Augustina M Brands

doi:10.1155/2015/960282

Does Self-Efficacy Affect Cognitive Performance in Persons with Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Early Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis?

Mult Scler Int. 2015:2015:960282. doi: 10.1155/2015/960282. Epub 2015 Apr 29.

Authors

Peter Joseph Jongen¹, Keith Wesnes², Björn van Geel³, Paul Pop⁴, Hans Schrijver⁵, Leo H Visser⁶, H Jacobus Gilhuis⁷, Ludovicus G Sinnige⁸, Augustina M Brands⁹

Affiliations

¹ MS4 Research Institute, Ubbergseweg 34, 6522 KJ Nijmegen, Netherlands ; Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, Netherlands.
² Swinburne University, John Street, Hawthorn, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia.
³ Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, Wilhelminalaan 12, 1815 JD Alkmaar, Netherlands.
⁴ Viecuri Medisch Centrum, Merseloseweg 130, 5801 CE Venray, Netherlands.
⁵ Westfries Gasthuis, Maelsonstraat 3, 1624 NP Hoorn, Netherlands.
⁶ St. Elisabeth Ziekenhuis, Hilvarenbeekseweg 60, 5022 GC Tilburg, Netherlands.
⁷ Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Reinier de Graafweg 3-11, 2625 AD Delft, Netherlands.
⁸ Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, 8934 AD Leeuwarden, Netherlands.
⁹ Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, Netherlands ; Zuwe Hofpoort Ziekenhuis, Regionaal Psychiatrisch Centrum Woerden, Polanerbaan 2, 3447 GN Woerden, Netherlands.

Abstract

In persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) a lowered self-efficacy negatively affects physical activities. Against this background we studied the relationship between self-efficacy and cognitive performance in the early stages of MS. Thirty-three patients with Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) and early Relapsing Remitting MS (eRRMS) were assessed for self-efficacy (MSSES-18), cognition (CDR System), fatigue (MFIS-5), depressive symptoms (BDI), disease impact (MSIS-29), and disability (EDSS). Correlative analyses were performed between self-efficacy and cognitive scores, and stepwise regression analyses identified predictors of cognition and self-efficacy. Good correlations existed between total self-efficacy and Power of Attention (r= 0.65; P< 0.001), Reaction Time Variability (r= 0.57; P< 0.001), and Speed of Memory (r= 0.53; P< 0.01), and between control self-efficacy and Reaction Time Variability (r= 0.55; P< 0.01). Total self-efficacy predicted 40% of Power of Attention, 34% of Reaction Time Variability, and 40% of Speed of Memory variabilities. Disease impact predicted 65% of total self-efficacy and 58% of control self-efficacy variabilities. The findings may suggest that in persons with CIS and eRRMS self-efficacy may positively affect cognitive performance and that prevention of disease activity may preserve self-efficacy.