Data from: Cognitive function after spinal cord injury: a systematic review

Methods

Studies quantitatively reporting cognitive ability after spinal cord injury were searched electronically via Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO. Manual screening for references within articles was also performed. A total of 2,481 studies were screened and a total of 70 were included in this review, 21 reporting cognitive function after SCI compared to an able-bodied control group and 49 with no able-bodied controls.

Studies were analyzed for the incidence of impairment and the interactions with concomitant traumatic brain injury, psychological or somatic complaints, decentralized cardiovascular control, sleep apnea, neurologic level of injury, and age. Results: There is a high volume of evidence reporting substantial cognitive impairment in individuals with SCI. Potential co-contributors include concomitant brain injury, psychological or somatic comorbidities, decentralized cardiovascular control, and sleep apnea.

Cognitive functioning was negatively correlated with age. No clear agreement was found for the incidence of cognitive impairment or its association with level of injury. Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that individuals with SCI should be examined and addressed for cognitive impairment.

Future studies aimed at identifying potential secondary causative factors should employ stringent controls for co-occurring brain trauma since it appears to be a major contributor and confounder to impaired cognition.

Usage notes

Supplementary figure e-1 ppt Literature search flowchart and study selection criteria Table e-1- Example of a search strategy Example of a keyword literature search conducted in MEDLINE Table e-2- Studies comparing SCI subjects to able-bodied controls List of studies comparing cognitive function between individuals with spinal cord injury and able-bodied controls. Table e-3- studies reporting cognitive ability after SCI with no able-bodied controls List of studies reporting cognitive function after spinal cord injury without able-bodied controls.

Supplementary references 61-123_Sachdeva et al