More than 4,600 people with multiple sclerosis around the world took part in the MS International Federation’s survey about cognition and MS. Read the results.

We undertook the anonymous survey in March and April 2013 to help inform the upcoming Cognition and MS edition of our magazine, MS in focus, which will be published in July 2013.

Key findings from the survey

  • 80% of respondents had experienced cognitive difficulties as part of their MS
  • The majority rated the impact of cognitive difficulties on work as “very high”
  • When asked about strategies they used to address cognitive problems, most relied on family and friends. A quarter said they used no strategies.
  • Almost a third said that they felt that people they are close to didn’t understand that cognition can be affected by MS.

Many respondents commented on the impact of cognitive difficulties on their lives:
“Your family is your best support system but even they look at you funny when you put the cereal box in the fridge.”