Spinal Cord Injury - cognitive dysfunction, activity limitation & QoL
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cross sectional study on impact of cognitive dysfunction on activity limitation and quality of life of people with spinal cord injury
IRAS ID
174664
Contact name
Sivaraman Nair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 4 days
Research summary
The average age of occurrence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing in developed countries. Over past four decades considerable progress has been made in reducing mortality among people with SCI. Around 50 % of people with paraplegia and 35% of people with tetraplegia now survive beyond 70 years. There is evidence that accelerated aging occurs in musculoskeltal, endocrine and cardiovascular systems of people with SCI. Studies have reported that between 10 and 60% of people with SCI show impairments in attention, concentration, memory problem solving, abstraction and new learning. The reasons for cognitive dysfunction include concomitant traumatic brain injury, hypotension and medications. The incidence of cognitive decline increases with aging. A search of data bases AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PscINFO and CINAHL did not now show any studies on impact of cognitive problems in people with SCI. The aim of this project is to assess the impact of cognitive issues on their rehabilitation, burden of care and quality of life of people with SCI. 100 consecutive People with SCI will be screened for cognitive decline using The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in Elderly ( IQCODE) and Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen ( ECAS).The screening will take place at Princess Royal Spinal Injuries centre, Northern General Hospital . Patients will be approached during out patient appointments or during their inpatient stay. The details of the impairments including the neurological level due to SCI will be collected using the American Spinal Injury Association score. The activity limitations will be assessed using Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure[SCIM]. Quality of Life will be assessed using WHO Quality of Life Brief ( WHOQOL BREF); a scale validated in people with SCI
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0053
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion