The course and prognostic factors of cognitive status after central nervous system trauma: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open, 2017 · DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017165 · Published: July 7, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Brain Injury

Simple Explanation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to cognitive problems. This systematic review aims to understand how cognitive function changes over time after these injuries. The review will analyze existing studies to identify factors that predict cognitive decline in people with TBI or SCI. It will also examine how cognitive function is measured in these studies. By understanding the course of cognitive status after CNS trauma, this review aims to inform clinicians, policymakers, and future researchers.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Adults (ages 18 and older) with either TBI or SCI, or both

Evidence Level

Systematic Review Protocol

Key Findings

1
The systematic review aims to document the course of cognitive status (decline, improvement, stability, fluctuations, etc) in patients with CNS trauma as time since injury progresses.
2
The review seeks to determine prognostic factors of development of cognitive deficits in patients with CNS trauma from the baseline to follow-up.
3
The study intends to provide a systematic consideration, solid description and in-depth understanding of the range of measurements used to assess cognition in CNS trauma research.

Research Summary

This protocol outlines a systematic review to study cognitive function in adults following CNS trauma (TBI, SCI). The review will identify the course of cognitive status, prognostic factors, and summarize sex- and age-stratified results. The review will analyze longitudinal studies and consider the psychometric properties of measurements used to assess cognition.

Practical Implications

Inform Clinical Practice

The review aims to provide insights into the natural history and prognostic factors of cognitive status in CNS trauma patients, which can inform clinical practice.

Guide Future Research

The study will lay the ground for further research aimed at determining the underlying basis behind any observed patterns.

Influence Health Policy

The findings are intended to reach knowledge users with the goal of informing innovations in AD and CNS trauma research, health policy and practice.

Study Limitations

1
Expected heterogeneity in sample characteristics and applied measurements.
2
Potentially unequal sex distribution in primary studies.
3
Exclusion of grey literature, non-English articles and unpublished manuscripts.

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