Making a Difference: Affective Distress Explains Discrepancy Between Objective and Subjective Cognitive Functioning...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Concussion can lead to persistent cognitive symptoms.
• The relationship between self-reported cognitive issues and objective test performance after concussion requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between subjective cognitive complaints and objective cognitive test scores in individuals post-concussion.
• To identify factors influencing subjective cognitive dysfunction, objective cognitive performance, and the discrepancy between them.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-six patients from a concussion clinic completed subjective cognitive assessments (SCAT-Symptom Evaluation) and objective cognitive tests (CNS Vital Signs Neurocognition Index).
• Cognitive discrepancy scores were calculated. Hierarchical regression and nonparametric analyses identified predictors of subjective symptoms and cognitive discrepancy.

Main Results:

• More severe affective and sleep symptoms, less time post-injury, and older age correlated with higher subjective cognitive symptoms.
• Affective distress and shorter time since injury predicted greater discrepancies between subjective complaints and objective cognitive performance.

Conclusions:

• Clinical assessment of cognitive dysfunction after concussion should incorporate factors beyond objective testing.
• Affective distress is a key consideration when subjective cognitive complaints exceed objective findings.