D-033 | The Importance of Autonomy in Multiple Sclerosis: Self-Determination and Its Relationship with Clinical Factors

Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Lara Bardoneschi | Email: larambard@gmail.com

Lara Bardoneschi^1°2°, Maria Sol Roman^1°2°, Florencia Daniele^2°,  Felisa Leguizamon^3°, Ignacio Casas Parera^4°, Maria Laura Saladino^2°, Fernando Caceres^2°,  Sandra Vanotti^2°

^1° INERE. Instituto de Neurociencias Restaurativas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
^2° Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de investigaciones en Psicología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
^3° Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Teodoro Álvarez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
^4° Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Introduction: In a chronic condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS), it is crucial to identify factors that impact functionality, including self-determination, defined by self-perceived autonomy and personal competence. Objective: To explore the predictors of self-determination in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Method: 80 PwMS were included (84% relapsing-remitting, 14% progressive), Age:43.8±9.6, Education:14.7±2.9, Years of disease duration: 11.1±8.4. Personal Self-Determination Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were administered. Cognitive variables were assessed with California Verbal Learning Test-I (CVLT-I), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Statistical Analysis: A stepwise linear regression analysis was performed, including fatigue, depression, verbal memory, visual memory, processing speed, and years of disease duration as potential predictors. Results: Fatigue and depression were significant predictors of self-determination (F=27.12, p<0.001). The final model explained 39.81% of the variability in self-determination (ad R2=0.39). Cognitive variables and disease duration were excluded from the final model due to lack of statistical significance. Conclusion: This study highlights that mood and fatigue are significant predictors of self-determination in PwMS. These results underscore the importance of addressing these factors in the comprehensive management of MS.