Diagnostic value of simple and selective Reaction Time in discriminating patients with multiple sclerosis from normal people

IntroductionCognitive dysfunctions may be brought about following the diseases which have destructive effects on the central nervous system. One way of studying the relationship among brain, behavior and thought, is examining and investigating the brain damaged people, among them Multiple sclerosis is one of the most prevalent diseases of CNS.Material and MethodThe aim of present study was to investigate the diagnostic value of simple and selective reaction time in discriminating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from normal people. For that purpose, two groups of patient with MS (n=44), a group of normal people (n=48) were selected as the control group. Their reaction time in simple and selective modes were measured by reaction timer, then demographic information of all subjects were collected and their inability was evaluated by EDSS.Mann-Withney U test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Following analysis of data, it was revealed that both simple (z= -2.566, p=0.011) and selective (z=6.348, p<0.001) modes of reaction time in patients with MS, were significantly more than control group. Selective reaction time was statistically able to predict health and illness (χ2= 51.067, df= 2, p<0.0001).ResultsBoth simple and selective reaction times were significantly longer in the patient group, and it was able to differentiate the MS patients from normal people.ConclusionAccording to the findings of the research, reaction time in both simple and selective modes is appropriate in differentiating the patient with MS, from normal people, and hence it is worthy to be utilized in clinical situations including clinics and neurology wards of hospitals.