Exploring the impact on employment of cognitive impairment as a result of MS: A research article

Cognitive impairment is the medical term for when people struggle with mental tasks, such as learning something new, concentrating, or remembering things. Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause cognitive impairment, which can make it harder for people living with MS (PwMS) to carry out daily activities, including work tasks.

Our most recent MS in the 21^st Century article, entitled ‘Cognitive impairment and its impact on employment: A qualitative interview-based study involving healthcare professionals and people living with multiple sclerosis,’ was published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders in May 2024 (full article available here). For this article, interviews were carried out with healthcare professionals working in neurology and PwMS. The goals were to explore how cognitive impairment caused by MS can impact a person’s ability to work and identify ways to address these challenges.

A total of 20 participants from the United States took part in virtual interviews. Details of real-life situations were collected, and three themes were identified: how cognitive issues impact work; the challenges in addressing these cognitive problems in MS care; and ideas and support for managing cognitive symptoms at work.

This article examines the identified themes and looks at how changes that PwMS and workplaces can make reduce the impact of cognitive impairment. The article also covers topics that could be helpful for creating resources to support PwMS at work.