Brígida Molina-Gallego1,2,3, Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino3, María Idoia Ugarte-Gurrutxaga3, Laura Molina-Gallego4, Laura Mordillo-Mateos1,5. 1. FENNSI Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain. 2. Nursing Department, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain. 3. Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Nursing Department, University of Castilla-la Mancha, 13071 Toledo, Spain. 4. Nursing Department, Hospital Mancha-Centro, SESCAM, Alcázar de San Juan, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain. 5. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-la Mancha, 13071 Talavera, Spain.
Abstract
The present investigation was designed to determinate the nature, pattern, and extent of cognitive deficits in a group of participants with subacute and chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in both patients with subacute and chronic SCI. Different cognitive functions were evaluated through a neuropsychological protocol designed for this purpose, taking into account the patient's emotional state. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients suffering a spinal cord injury were evaluated. There were no differences between the two groups when age, sex, level of education, and region of origin were studied. The chronic injured patients obtained lower scores in the neuropsychological evaluation protocol respective to the subacute injured patients. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with chronic spinal cord injury presented a cognitive profile that differed greatly in the number of altered cognitive functions as well as in their magnitude from the subacute spinal cord injured patient profile. Moreover, cognitive dysfunction may be important beyond the end of the first stage of rehabilitation as it can affect an individual's quality of life and possible integration in society.
The present investigation was designed to determinate the nature, pattern, and extent of cognitive deficits in a group of participants with subacute and chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in both patients with subacute and chronic SCI. Different cognitive functions were evaluated through a neuropsychological protocol designed for this purpose, taking into account the patient's emotional state. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients suffering a spinal cord injury were evaluated. There were no differences between the two groups when age, sex, level of education, and region of origin were studied. The chronic injured patients obtained lower scores in the neuropsychological evaluation protocol respective to the subacute injured patients. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with chronic spinal cord injury presented a cognitive profile that differed greatly in the number of altered cognitive functions as well as in their magnitude from the subacute spinal cord injured patient profile. Moreover, cognitive dysfunction may be important beyond the end of the first stage of rehabilitation as it can affect an individual's quality of life and possible integration in society.
Authors: Agata Goraczko; Alina Zurek; Maciej Lachowicz; Katarzyna Kujawa; Grzegorz Zurek Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-15 Impact factor: 3.390