Exploring trends in brain fog and quality of life outcomes in Veterans with pain symptoms: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Brain fog may decrease quality of life (QOL) in Veterans with pain by reducing cognitive capacity and functional engagement. Veterans with higher pain interference (PI) experience worse QOL. Given PI’s relationship with QOL, it is important to explore brain fog within the context of PI levels. This study compared health-related QOL, functional cognition, and functional abilities between Veterans with high versus low PI and brain fog. Method: A cross-sectional study, using a one-way MANOVA, explored whether Veterans with brain fog and pain symptoms perceived PI-affected measures of QOL. Exploratory post hoc testing compared gender differences and correlations between perceived confidence with abilities and QOL. Results: Thirty-four Veterans participated. The results of the MANOVA showed a significant main effect of PI between constructs. Univariate tests revealed differences in physical health, symptoms of mental health issues, and perceived confidence with abilities. No differences in outcomes based on gender were found. The exploratory correlation analysis demonstrates that in Veterans with brain fog and painful symptoms, there are high correlations between physical health and perceived confidence with abilities and moderate correlations between mental health and perceived confidence with abilities, and between functional cognition and perceived confidence with abilities. Discussion: Veterans with pain symptoms and brain fog with high PI demonstrated more mental health symptoms, poorer physical functioning, and reduced perceived abilities. Results from the correlation analysis demonstrate that perceived confidence plays a role in QOL. This study contributes to the overall understanding of this experience, identifying evidence-based suggestions for future exploration.