A Comparative Study of Executive Functioning and Anxiety Across Types of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare executive functioning and anxiety in patients with relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis. This quantitative study employed a causal-comparative design. The statistical population consisted of patients with multiple sclerosis who were members of the MS Association of Fars Province. A total of 60 participants were selected through convenience sampling and divided into two groups of 30 (relapsing-remitting and progressive). Data were collected using the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (self-report form) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests including independent samples t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using SPSS version 28. The results revealed a significant difference between the two groups in total executive functioning (t = -3.18, p = 0.002), with the progressive group showing greater impairment. Significant differences were also observed in behavioral regulation (p = 0.006) and metacognitive indices (p = 0.002). Conversely, total anxiety scores were significantly higher in the relapsing-remitting group (t = 4.95, p = 0.001). Multivariate analyses indicated significant group differences in cognitive-emotional (p = 0.005), cardiopulmonary (p = 0.019), and neuro-sensory symptoms (p = 0.001), while differences in motor and severe anxiety symptoms were not significant. The findings suggest that different disease courses of multiple sclerosis are associated with distinct patterns of cognitive impairment and anxiety, with progressive patients exhibiting greater executive dysfunction and relapsing-remitting patients experiencing higher anxiety.