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

Objective: To systematically examine the incidence of cognitive impairment
in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), as well as identify
potential contributing and confounding factors. 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.