Alterations of cognitive functions post traumatic upper limb injuries in adults: A longitudinal study

Recent studies have demonstrated a possible association between cognitive impairments and traumatic upper limb injuries. This study aims to track the cognitive changes in individuals with such injuries. In this longitudinal study, 36 participants with traumatic upper limb injuries and 36 uninjured participants were enrolled. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) over a period of 6 months, with evaluations conducted on three occasions: 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3). The results revealed that participants with nerve injuries exhibited significantly lower RAVLT scores overall and at each time point (Overall: Wald χ² = 7.99, <i>P</i> < .05; T1: Wald χ² = 7.61, <i>P</i> < .05; T2: Wald χ² = 5.95, <i>P</i> < .05; T3: Wald χ² = 5.76, <i>P</i> < .05). In contrast, no significant impairment in RAVLT performance was observed in participants without nerve injuries. Additionally, the SCWT showed no significant differences between injured and uninjured participants over the six-month period (<i>P</i> > .05). In conclusion, traumatic nerve injuries to the upper limbs negatively affect memory, and this impairment does not spontaneously recover within six months.