SPINE UPDATE - IMPAIRED COGNITIVE-FUNCTIONING AFTER WHIPLASH INJURY OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE

To enhance the awareness of physicians treating whiplash patients, fin dings from previous research regarding cognitive functioning of these patients are discussed and recommendations for assessment provided. Co gnitive disturbances (i.e., deficient attentional functioning and impa irment of memory) are frequent complaints in patients after whiplash i njury. However, few prospective studies of nonselected patients have b een performed. These studies indicate that impaired cognitive function ing relates either to trauma-induced somatic symptoms (i.e., pain) or psychologic symptoms resulting from problems adjusting to trauma-relat ed somatic symptoms. Accordingly, cognitive disturbances after whiplas h show a fair rate of recovery, which parallels recovery from trauma-r elated somatic symptoms. Current research does not indicate disturbanc es in higher cognitive functions after whiplash.