Effect of traumatic upper-limb injury on cognitive functions: A cross-sectional observational study

Objectives: There is growing evidence of cognitive impairment after traumatic peripheral lesions. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between cognitive function and traumatic upperlimb injury. We assessed difference in cognitive function between participants with and without upperlimb injury, and explored the association between cognitive function and certain variables in injured individuals: gender, age, body mass index (BMI), educational level, and occupation. We sought to identify the factors associated with cognitive function in injured subjects: time since injury, injury side, nerve injury, hand function, pain, and finger sensation.Material and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, with 2 groups: observational group (with traumatic upper-limb injury) and control group (uninjured). The 2 groups were matched for age, gender, BMI, educational level and occupation. Short-term memory and executive functions were assessed using the Rey Auditory and Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), respectively.Results: 104 participants with traumatic upper-limb injury and 104 uninjured control subjects were included. There was a significant inter-group difference only in RAVLT (p < 0.01; Cohen d, of 0.38). Regression analysis demonstrated an association of pain on VAS (beta = -0.16, p < 0.01) and touch-test (beta = 1.09, p < 0.05) with total RAVLT score (short-term memory) in injured subjects (R-2 = 0.19, F (2, 82) = 9.54, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Traumatic upper-limb injury can impact short-term memory, which should be kept in mind during rehabilitation.