Frontiers in Neurology (Sep 2021)

Illness Cognitions in ALS: New Insights Into Clinical Management of Behavioural Symptoms

  • Jashelle Caga,
  • Jashelle Caga,
  • Emma Devenney,
  • Emma Devenney,
  • William Huynh,
  • William Huynh,
  • Margaret C. Zoing,
  • Rebekah M. Ahmed,
  • Rebekah M. Ahmed,
  • Rebekah M. Ahmed,
  • Matthew C. Kiernan,
  • Matthew C. Kiernan,
  • Matthew C. Kiernan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.740693
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

Read online

Timely management of frontotemporal dysfunction associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. However, there remains a paucity of research on best practise recommendations to guide the development of interventions for cognitive and behavioural symptoms as part of ALS care. Accordingly, a focus on illness perceptions may provide a preliminary framework for managing cognitive and behavioural symptoms. The aim of the present study was to explore the nature of illness perceptions among ALS patients with cognitive and behavioural symptoms. A total of 39 patients were recruited from a specialised ALS clinic. Factor analysis showed three independent and clinically interpretable factors corresponding to “cognitive and emotion related ALS perceptions,” “cognitive- specific ALS perceptions” and “ALS coherence”. Of these factors, greater perceived cognitive and emotional impacts of ALS were associated with an approximate 4-fold increased risk of behavioural changes (p < 0.05). Greater perceived cognitive and emotional impacts of ALS was also associated with more rapid disease progression (p < 0.001). As such, timely provision of intervention addressing perceptions about the impact of ALS on functioning as well as associated emotional distress may optimise clinical management of cognitive and behavioural symptoms of ALS.

Keywords