Cognitive Deficits in Chronic Pain Patients With and Without History of Head/Neck Injury: Development of a Brief Screening Battery

Abstract

The incidence of cognitive deficits in chronic pain patients with a history of major or minor head/neck injury (HI) and without a history of major or minor head/neck injury (NHI) was examined. As an alternative to more costly and time-consuming assessment instruments, a brief screening battery was employed which tested for problems in concentration and attention. Based on a limited subsample, 100% accuracy was obtained in predicting deficits later confirmed by full neuropsychological testing. Results indicated significantly higher incidence of difficulties in sustained attention and rapid problemsolving ability in the HI group than in the NHI group. These difficulties are discussed in the context of recent evidence that the incidence of subtle but possibly lasting cognitive deficits is greater than had been earlier recognized with minor head trauma. Implications of the type of deficits noted, their clinical presentation, and suggestions for their detection and clinical management in chronic pain patients are discussed.