Memory deficits in chronic low back pain patients: A scoping review

Chronic pain often results in cognitive dysfunction, with memory complaints being the most prevalent cognitive deficits. Our aim was to review the existing literature on memory deficits in the most prevalent chronic pain condition, Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP).

We conducted a scoping review from inception to April 2023, employing a narrow literature research without study design restrictions. We searched on five databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science. We included studies that compared memory performances between Chronic Low Back Pain patients and healthy controls.

22,368 results were retrieved, and 15,589 were screened. 9 cross-sectional studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies had differences in definitions and measurements of memory functions. CLBP groups showed lower performances in memory tests.

This scoping review provides an overview of the literature on memory deficits in CLBP patients. We found discrepancies in definitions and measurements of memory functions, as well as a lack of quantitative data due to limited studies. In each study, CLBP patients exhibited lower performance in memory tests compared to healthy population. It would be interesting to gather more data and to standardize definitions and measurements.