The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS): results from the German validation study

Filser, Melanie; Schreiber, Herbert; Pöttgen, Jana; Ullrich, Sebastian; Lang, Michael; Penner, Iris‐Katharina

doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9034-1

“…Screening tools that have been recommended include the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS), or longer measures such as the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological tests (BRB‐N) or the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) . The BICAMS has been translated into a number of languages, but the extent to which this has been implemented in clinical practice remains unknown. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), which features in the BICAMS, the BRB‐N, and the MACFIMS, has also been recommended as a single screening test .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment and management of cognitive problems in people with multiple sclerosis: A National Survey of Clinical Practice

Klein

¹

,

Nair

²

,

Ablewhite

³

et al. 2019

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Summary Background People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis often have cognitive problems. However, it is unclear how cognitive impairment is currently assessed and managed in the UK. Aim The aim of this study was to understand the current clinical practice of assessment and management of cognitive impairment in people with MS and to highlight any national variation. Methods A survey was posted to 150 MS centres and large hospitals and an online version was shared via email and on social media. Results Responses were analysed from 109 healthcare professionals. Approximately 59% (n = 64) reported that they used cognitive assessment tools: the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was the most widely used. Assessments were usually done by occupational therapists (55%; n = 60) or clinical neuropsychologist and psychologists (38%; n = 41); 49% (n = 53) of respondents developed and implemented a cognitive rehabilitation plan when the assessment indicated that patients had cognitive problems; 16% (n = 17) indicated that they would refer patients to specialist cognitive rehabilitation for symptom management; 3% (n = 3) followed a manual when providing a cognitive rehabilitation programme. Conclusions Clinical pathways for assessing and managing cognitive problems vary and are dependent on the individual expertise of health professionals, available resources, and access to specialist services. Although healthcare professionals highlight the importance of assessment and management, cognitive rehabilitation programmes are not routinely offered in the UK.

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“…Our cognitive test battery assessed key cognitive disability domains in MS. Most of the tests are part of the internationally validated Brief Cognitive Assessment in MS (Filser et al 2018).…”

Section: Cognitive Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The final score is calculated by the total number of correctly remembered words. After 30 minutes the patients were asked to repeat the words again without those being read out by the assessor (delayed recall) (Filser et al 2018).…”

Section: Manuscript To Be Reviewedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #2 of "Short-term interval aerobic exercise training does not improve memory functioning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis—a randomized controlled trial (v0.2)"

Ploughman¹

2018

0

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Background : Only few aerobic exercise intervention trials specifically targeting cognitive functioning have been performed in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective and methods : This randomized controlled trial with 34 patients in the intervention group (IG) (mean: 38.2 years (± 9.6)) and 34 patients in the control group (CG) (mean: 39.6 years (± 9.7)) aimed to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in relapsing-remitting MS. The primary outcome was verbal memory (Verbal learning and memory test, VLMT). Patients were randomized to an intervention group (IG) or a waitlist control group (CG). Patients in the IG exercised according to an individually tailored training schedule (with 2-3 sessions per week for 12 weeks). The primary analysis was carried out using the intention-to-treat (ITT) sample with ANCOVA adjusting for baseline scores. Results : Seventy-seven patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were screened and 68 participants randomized (CG n=34; IG n=34). The sample comprised 68% females, had a mean age of 39 years, a mean disease duration of 6.3 years, and a mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 1.8. No significant effects were detected in the ITT analysis for the primary endpoint VLMT or any other cognitive measures. Moreover, no significant treatment effects were observed for quality of life, fatigue, or depressive symptoms. Conclusion : This study failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in RRMS. The trial was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02005237).

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“…We chose the Symbol-Digit-Modalities Test (SDMT) in its oral version and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) to assess information processing (Fischer et al 1999) (López-Góngora et al 2015. In the SDMT patients have 90 seconds time to assign the numbers 1 to 9 to symbols that were prior associated to a certain number (Filser et al 2018 Manuscript to be reviewed BVMT-R, patients were presented geometrical figures for 10 seconds and had to memorize their exact location on a grid. Subsequently they had to draw the figures correctly in the right place.…”

Section: Manuscript To Be Reviewedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subsequently they had to draw the figures correctly in the right place. This procedure is repeated 3 times (Filser et al 2018). In addition, we applied the Corsi Block-Tapping Task (Berch et al 1998) to assess short term and working memory.…”

Section: Manuscript To Be Reviewedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Short-term interval aerobic exercise training does not improve memory functioning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis—a randomized controlled trial (v0.2)"

2018

0

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Background : Only few aerobic exercise intervention trials specifically targeting cognitive functioning have been performed in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective and methods : This randomized controlled trial with 34 patients in the intervention group (IG) (mean: 38.2 years (± 9.6)) and 34 patients in the control group (CG) (mean: 39.6 years (± 9.7)) aimed to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in relapsing-remitting MS. The primary outcome was verbal memory (Verbal learning and memory test, VLMT). Patients were randomized to an intervention group (IG) or a waitlist control group (CG). Patients in the IG exercised according to an individually tailored training schedule (with 2-3 sessions per week for 12 weeks). The primary analysis was carried out using the intention-to-treat (ITT) sample with ANCOVA adjusting for baseline scores. Results : Seventy-seven patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were screened and 68 participants randomized (CG n=34; IG n=34). The sample comprised 68% females, had a mean age of 39 years, a mean disease duration of 6.3 years, and a mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 1.8. No significant effects were detected in the ITT analysis for the primary endpoint VLMT or any other cognitive measures. Moreover, no significant treatment effects were observed for quality of life, fatigue, or depressive symptoms. Conclusion : This study failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in RRMS. The trial was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02005237).

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The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS): results from the German validation study

Cited by 50 publications

References 28 publications

Assessment and management of cognitive problems in people with multiple sclerosis: A National Survey of Clinical Practice

Assessment and management of cognitive problems in people with multiple sclerosis: A National Survey of Clinical Practice

Peer Review #2 of "Short-term interval aerobic exercise training does not improve memory functioning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis—a randomized controlled trial (v0.2)"

Peer Review #1 of "Short-term interval aerobic exercise training does not improve memory functioning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis—a randomized controlled trial (v0.2)"

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