Pain and cognition in multiple sclerosis: distinct associations with objective and perceived impairment
In a study of 396 outpatients with MS, pain was found to have small but significant associations with certain cognitive tests. However, after adjusting for various factors, pain did not independently predict cognitive performance. Perceived cognitive impairment was significantly linked to sensory pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, explaining 44% of the variance.
- Tags
- #Other
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
This research highlights the complex relationship between pain and cognitive issues in MS, suggesting that while pain is related to perceived cognitive decline, it does not influence actual cognitive test performance independently.
What this does not prove
The study only demonstrates associations, not causation, and is limited to specific adult outpatients, meaning findings may not apply broadly to all individuals with MS.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 396 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- No
- Relevant MS type
- All
- Publication date
- 2026-10-10
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Other
Original sources
- Primary evidencePain and cognition in multiple sclerosis: distinct associations with objective and perceived impairment. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2026.107979
Supporting passages (10)
study designMETHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 396 consecutive adult outpatients with confirmed MS and cognitive concerns referred for assessment to an MS neuropsychiatry service between April 2025 and April 2026.
subjectsMETHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 396 consecutive adult outpatients with confirmed MS and cognitive concerns referred for assessment to an MS neuropsychiatry service between April 2025 and April 2026.
sample sizeMETHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 396 consecutive adult outpatients with confirmed MS and cognitive concerns referred for assessment to an MS neuropsychiatry service between April 2025 and April 2026.
primary endpoint metCONCLUSION: Pain does not independently predict performance on objective cognitive tests in pwMS.
research categoriesBACKGROUND: Pain and cognitive impairment are common, disabling features of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet their relationship remains poorly understood.
relevant ms typesMETHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 396 consecutive adult outpatients with confirmed MS and cognitive concerns referred for assessment to an MS neuropsychiatry service between April 2025 and April 2026.
publication date2026-10-10
primary endpointOBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between pain, objective cognitive performance, and perceived cognitive impairment in people with MS (pwMS).
findingsPain showed small but significant bivariate associations with selected cognitive measures; however, pain did not independently predict objective cognitive performance after adjustment for demographic, clinical, and symptom-related variables.
limitationsTitle: Pain and cognition in multiple sclerosis: distinct associations with objective and perceived impairment.
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