The Relationship between Cognitive Performance and Quality of Life in Elite Athletes after Spinal Cord Injury.

Agata Goraczko,Maciej Lachowicz,Katarzyna Kujawa,Alina Zurek,Grzegorz Zurek

doi:10.3390/ijerph19020948

Abstract

Background: The present investigation was designed to determine cognitive performance and quality of life (QoL) in a group of elite athletes who sustained spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: nine participants suffering a SCI participated in the study. Different cognitive functions were evaluated through the following tests: COWAT, Digit Span, Stroop color–word and QoL through the WHOQoL-BREF scale. Results: Generally, participants positively assessed their overall quality of life and health status. Although the tests conducted indicate reduced cognitive function among the athletes, it did not affect the reduction in QoL. Single correlations between the results of cognitive tests and QoL could be treated as coincidental. Conclusions: Despite the observed decline in selected cognitive functions, the participants positively assessed their quality of life and physical health.Reduced cognitive functioning could be influenced by the impact of sleep-disordered breathing, pain, depressive disorders and medication. This indicates the need for an individualized approach to define the patient’s deficits, needs and best care. Further studies with a larger group of participants are needed.

Highlights

In addition to the loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury, spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with a number of other consequences, which typically include cognitive impairment
The purpose of this study is to evaluate cognitive functions in outstanding athletes after an SCI and to demonstrate whether there is a relationship between cognitive level and quality of life in this group of individuals
In a comment on the WHOQoL-BREF scale, participant P1 indicated that he had been in poor health for the past 4 weeks, which is the period referred to by the scale questions and it had the effect of impairing both physical and mental well-being, as well as social isolation, with the need to stay in bed

Summary

Introduction

In addition to the loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury, spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with a number of other consequences, which typically include cognitive impairment. Dovler et al.’s (1997) study demonstrated distinct patterns of CD in individuals with chronic SCI which affected cognitive areas such as processing speed, new learning memory and executive functioning [5,6]. Conclusions: Despite the observed decline in selected cognitive functions, the participants positively assessed their quality of life and physical health.Reduced cognitive functioning could be influenced by the impact of sleep-disordered breathing, pain, depressive disorders and medication. This indicates the need for an individualized approach to define the patient’s deficits, needs and best care. Further studies with a larger group of participants are needed

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Discussion

Conclusion