Use of Cognitive Aids and Other Assistive Technology by Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

Journal Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol

Publisher Informa Healthcare

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2009 Jan 28

PMID 19172475

Citations 5

Authors

Kurt L Johnson

Alyssa M Bamer

Kathryn M Yorkston

Dagmar Amtmann

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the use of assistive technology (AT), unmet needs for AT, and examine correlates of use of memory aids and cognitive strategies among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method: A cross-sectional study of 1,063 community dwelling adults with MS in Washington State. A self-report survey assessed use of AT as well as depression, fatigue, mobility, and other demographic and disease related variables.

Results: Some 70% of respondents reported using memory strategies and 50.7% reported using electronic memory aids. The strongest correlate of use of electronic memory aids was endorsement of difficulties thinking (OR: 2.09, p < 0.001) though younger age, higher education, and report of higher fatigue were also significant. Fatigue (OR: 1.27, p < 0.001) and depression (OR: 0.89, p < 0.001) were highly associated with use of memory strategies. Subjects who were older, unemployed, more depressed, and have more mobility disability were less likely to use memory strategies.

Conclusions: Use of AT for memory is widespread and further research should be conducted on efficacy of AT. Many individuals who might be presumed to need AT for memory most (older, less educated, more disability) are least likely to report use. Healthcare providers are urged to ask about memory AT and make appropriate referrals.

Citing Articles

Non-equivalent, but still valid: Establishing the construct validity of a consumer fitness tracker in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Polhemus A, Sieber C, Haag C, Sylvester R, Kool J, Gonzenbach R PLOS Digit Health. 2023; 2(1):e0000171.

PMID: 36812638 PMC: 9931345. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000171.

Assistive Technology in Multiple Sclerosis Patients-Two Points of View.

Korchut A, Petit V, Szwedo-Brzozowska E, Rejdak K J Clin Med. 2022; 11(14).

PMID: 35887832 PMC: 9318042. DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144068.

Factors affecting employment among informal caregivers assisting people with multiple sclerosis.

Buchanan R, Huang C, Zheng Z Int J MS Care. 2014; 15(4):203-10.

PMID: 24453784 PMC: 3883020. DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2012-050.

Physical activity and depression in middle and older-aged adults with multiple sclerosis.

Jensen M, Molton I, Gertz K, Bombardier C, Rosenberg D Disabil Health J. 2012; 5(4):269-76.

PMID: 23021738 PMC: 3462318. DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.05.006.

Beyond fatigue: Assessing variables associated with sleep problems and use of sleep medications in multiple sclerosis.

Bamer A, Johnson K, Amtmann D, Kraft G Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 2010(2):99-106.

PMID: 20838467 PMC: 2936768. DOI: 10.2147/CLEP.S10425.

References

Gould O, King B . Metacognition and medication adherence: how do older adults remember?. Exp Aging Res. 1997; 23(4):315-42. DOI: 10.1080/03610739708254034. View

Yang C, Chuang L, Yang C, Luo C . Morse code application for wireless environmental control systems for severely disabled individuals. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2004; 11(4):463-9. DOI: 10.1109/TNSRE.2003.819905. View

Brown T, Kraft G . Exercise and rehabilitation for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2005; 16(2):513-55. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2005.01.005. View

Yorkston K, Johnson K, Klasner E . Taking part in life: enhancing participation in multiple sclerosis. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2005; 16(2):583-94. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2005.01.003. View

Meyer B, Russo C, Talbot A . Discourse comprehension and problem solving: decisions about the treatment of breast cancer by women across the life span. Psychol Aging. 1995; 10(1):84-103. DOI: 10.1037//0882-7974.10.1.84. View

Fischer J, Larocca N, Miller D, Ritvo P, Andrews H, Paty D . Recent developments in the assessment of quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS). Mult Scler. 1999; 5(4):251-9. DOI: 10.1177/135245859900500410. View

Dry A, Colantonio A, Cameron J, Mihailidis A . Technology in the lives of women who live with memory impairment as a result of a traumatic brain injury. Assist Technol. 2007; 18(2):170-80. DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2006.10131916. View

Fox R, Bethoux F, Goldman M, Cohen J . Multiple sclerosis: advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating the underlying disease. Cleve Clin J Med. 2006; 73(1):91-102. DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.73.1.91. View

Rao S, Leo G, Ellington L, Nauertz T, Bernardin L, Unverzagt F . Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. II. Impact on employment and social functioning. Neurology. 1991; 41(5):692-6. DOI: 10.1212/wnl.41.5.692. View

10.

Cassileth B, Soloway M, Vogelzang N, Schellhammer P, Seidmon E, Hait H . Patients' choice of treatment in stage D prostate cancer. Urology. 1989; 33(5 Suppl):57-62. DOI: 10.1016/0090-4295(89)90108-8. View

11.

Craig A, Moses P, Tran Y, McIsaac P, Kirkup L . The effectiveness of a hands-free environmental control system for the profoundly disabled. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002; 83(10):1455-8. DOI: 10.1053/apmr.2002.34624. View

12.

Freeman J . Improving mobility and functional independence in persons with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2001; 248(4):255-9. DOI: 10.1007/s004150170198. View

13.

Finlayson M, Guglielmello L, Liefer K . Describing and predicting the possession of assistive devices among persons with multiple sclerosis. Am J Occup Ther. 2003; 55(5):545-51. DOI: 10.5014/ajot.55.5.545. View

14.

Appelbaum P, Grisso T . Assessing patients' capacities to consent to treatment. N Engl J Med. 1988; 319(25):1635-8. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM198812223192504. View

15.

Hart T, Buchhofer R, Vaccaro M . Portable electronic devices as memory and organizational aids after traumatic brain injury: a consumer survey study. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2004; 19(5):351-65. DOI: 10.1097/00001199-200409000-00001. View

16.

Gillen G . Improving mobility and community access in an adult with ataxia. Am J Occup Ther. 2002; 56(4):462-6. DOI: 10.5014/ajot.56.4.462. View

17.

Von Korff M, Ormel J, Keefe F, Dworkin S . Grading the severity of chronic pain. Pain. 1992; 50(2):133-149. DOI: 10.1016/0304-3959(92)90154-4. View

18.

Minden S, Frankel D, Hadden L, Perloffp J, Srinath K, Hoaglin D . The Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Multiple Sclerosis Study: methods and sample characteristics. Mult Scler. 2006; 12(1):24-38. DOI: 10.1191/135248506ms1262oa. View

19.

Kornblith A, La Rocca N, Baum H . Employment in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Int J Rehabil Res. 1986; 9(2):155-65. DOI: 10.1097/00004356-198606000-00006. View

20.

Fay B, Boninger M . The science behind mobility devices for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Med Eng Phys. 2002; 24(6):375-83. DOI: 10.1016/s1350-4533(02)00037-1. View