Evaluation of Executive Functions in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Emphasised on Strategic Planning and Time Management Ability

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of two strategic planning and time management constructs in children and adolescents with MS.

This study was a causal-comparative study with post-event design and control group. The statistical population comprises all children and adolescents with MS who are members of the MS Society of Iran. For this purpose, 30 MS patients and 30 non-MS patients aged 18 years and younger were selected by convenience sampling method &evaluated by parental version of the BRIEF Questionnaire. The results of children and adolescents affected were compared with non-infected samples. (The tool of the present study was BRIEF questionnaire (Gioia, Isquith, Guy & Kenworthy, 2000) and data were analyzed using independent t-test, analysis of variance and correlation in version 26 of spss software.)

Analysis of the planning variable showed that the mean of children with MS was significantly higher than non-infected children (t = 5.758, df = 58, p< 0.000) and a significant correlation between this construct and educational status were observed (p<0.020). Resultsof the study of time management variable were similar to the previous one (t = 5.394, df = 58, p< 0.000), but no significant correlation was found between this variable and educational status (p<0.691).

As a result of the analyzes, it was found that children and adolescents with MS have a significant deficits in their planning and time management components compared to their non-MS counterparts. However, weakness in the planning component can also affect their educational status.