Frontal fluency and memory functioning among multiple sclerosis patients in Hong Kong

Abstract

The primary objective: The frontal fluency and memory functioning among Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were investigated in order to identify cross-cultural differences in the impact of MS on cognitive functions. Research design, methods and procedures: Cognitive profiles of 11 Chinese patients with MS were compared to that of their corresponding matched healthy volunteers. Since MS is of low prevalence in Hong Kong, the present sample is considered representative of patients with MS in the Hong Kong Island district. Frontal fluency and memory measures, namely Chinese Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Aggie Figure Learning Test, Word Fluency Test (fruit/vegetable and animal categories), and Design Fluency Test were administered one-on-one to the participants to evaluate their cognitive functions along the verbal-non-verbal axis. Main outcomes and results: Results indicated that patients with MS performed poorer on non-verbal, but not verbal measures in this study relative to their healthy counterparts. These deficits cannot be explained by clinical or demographic variables. Conclusions: These findings further support the speculation of a verbal-non-verbal distinction for cognitive deficits in patients with MS in Hong Kong.