The Computerized Test of Information Processing (CTIP) offers an alternative to the PASAT for assessing cognitive processing speed in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the ability of the Computerized Test of Information Processing (CTIP) to detect impaired cognitive processing speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a traditional 3.0 second Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and the Adjusting-PASAT which allows for calculation of a speed score.

BACKGROUND

A primary cognitive deficit in MS is an impaired ability to process information quickly. Unfortunately, relatively few clinical tests effectively measure information processing speed. Of these, the PASAT is generally acknowledged to be the most sensitive, but use of this test is constrained by several factors.

METHODS

All tests were administered to 30 adults with relapsing-remitting MS and 30 control participants.

RESULTS

A series of analysis of variances revealed MS participants performed significantly worse than controls on the CTIP and the 3.0 second PASAT, whereas no significant difference was observed for the Adjusting-PASAT.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest the CTIP can detect deficits in the speed at which people with MS process information. Thus, the CTIP offers an alternative means to the 3.0 second PASAT included in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite for assessing such impairment.