Accuracy and reaction time in recognition of facial emotions in people with multiple sclerosis

Facial emotional expression constitutes a basic guide in the social interaction and, thus, the alterations in its expression or recognition imply an important limitation for the communication. On the other hand, cognitive impairment and the presence of depressive symptoms, which are commonly found in patients with multiple sclerosis, it is unknown how they influence cognitive function and depression on emotional recognition. To consider the evaluation of time reaction and response accuracy of facial expression recognition in people affected by multiple sclerosis, and to assess the possible variables that may be modulating the emotion recognition, such as depression and cognitive functions. The study has a cross-sectional non-experimental design with a single measurement. The sample is compound by 85 participants, 45 diagnosed as multiple sclerosis and 40 control subjects. Multiple sclerosis subjects reveal significant differences in both reaction time and response accuracy in neuropsychological tests in comparison to the control group. Explanatory models were identified in the emotional recognition. Multiple sclerosis subjects face difficulties at recognising facial emotions; and differences at attention memory, processing speed and depressive symptomatology were observed in regard to the control group.