Patel, H. orcid.org/0000-0001-6313-0185, Blackburn, D. orcid.org/0000-0001-8886-1283, Hariharan, R. et al. (2 more authors) (2024) Improving current understanding of cognitive impairment in patients with a spinal cord injury: A UK-based clinician survey. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. ISSN 1079-0268
Abstract
Context
Emerging data suggests that patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment. The true incidence of cognitive impairment in this group is unclear due to the difficulty in administering commonly used assessment tools, which are dependent on functional abilities e.g. drawing and writing.
Methods
A 16-question online survey, that aims to understand current practices on the assessment of cognition and the limitations of currently available tools, was sent via a Research Network Group to British Association of Spinal Cord Injury Specialists (BASCIS) registered clinicians at each of the 12 Spinal Injuries Centers in the UK and Ireland.
Results
41 responses from 11 different SCI centers, with most from clinicians who have worked with SCI patients for over 10 years. 68% felt that there was a higher incidence of cognitive impairment in those with an SCI. However, 15% reported not using tools to screen for cognitive impairment, primarily due to lack of time, lack of guidelines, and physical disabilities affecting the ability to complete tests. When used, the most commonly utilized tools were those that rely on intact hand function.
Conclusions
Clinicians report a higher incidence of cognitive impairment in those with an SCI. However, currently used tools are not always appropriate, and patients with impaired hand function may be under-represented or undiagnosed. Further work is needed for a more standardized assessment tool to ensure that these patients receive appropriate diagnosis and management, particularly since cognitive impairment in this group can increase care needs and reduce engagement with rehabilitation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent. |
Keywords: | Cognitive impairment; MMSE; MOCA; SCI and cognition; Spinal cord injury |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Medicine and Population Health |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 13 Dec 2024 15:47 |
Last Modified: | 13 Dec 2024 15:47 |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Informa UK Limited |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/10790268.2024.2426313 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:220379 |