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The Cognitive Functions in Adults with Chronic Pain: A Comparative Study
Mohammed Shaban Nadar1, Zainab Jasem1, Fahad S Manee1
1Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
Pain Research & Management
|January 28, 2017
Summary
Chronic pain is linked to reduced cognitive function, including memory and attention, in Middle Eastern adults. This study found similar cognitive declines in Middle Eastern adults with chronic pain as observed in Western populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research indicates chronic pain negatively impacts cognitive abilities in Western adults.
- Limited research exists on the chronic pain-cognition relationship within Middle Eastern populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive functioning in Middle Eastern adults with chronic pain compared to pain-free individuals.
- To assess memory, attention, processing speed, and executive functioning in these groups.
Main Methods:
- A matched group comparative study involving 69 Middle Eastern adults (40 with chronic pain, 29 pain-free).
- Utilized five standardized, culture- and language-independent cognitive assessments.
- Data collected in a controlled rehabilitation research setting.
Main Results:
- Participants with chronic pain demonstrated significantly poorer performance across multiple cognitive domains.
- Deficits were observed in long-term memory, selective attention, processing speed, and executive functioning.
- Cognitive processing was notably reduced in the chronic pain cohort.
Conclusions:
- The influence of Middle Eastern culture on chronic pain's cognitive effects appears minimal.
- Findings align with previous studies on Western populations, suggesting a universal impact of chronic pain on cognition.
- Chronic pain is associated with cognitive impairment regardless of cultural background.
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