Abstract
The authors of this research project collaborated with Sarah Bicker, OTR/L, an acute care therapist working at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA to investigate two clinical questions: [1] “What is the correlation between high-level (C1-C7) spinal cord injury (SCI) and cognitive impairment?” [2] “Which assessments are most effective for evaluating cognition in adult clients who have very limited motor and/or verbal abilities and could potentially be used with clients who have acute high-level spinal cord injuries?” A review of the research revealed that common comorbidities, including orthostatic hypotension, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury, often affect cognition in clients with high-level SCI. Unfortunately, no specific cognitive assessments have been developed for individuals in this population that can accommodate for limited motor and/or verbal abilities. Some assessments are more accommodating of limited motor and/or verbal ability and have potential for application for individuals with high-level SCI but there is a need for research applying these assessments to this specific population.
This research and its implications were presented at in an in-service at Harborview Medical Center to promote knowledge translation from research to practice. To monitor the impact of this presentation, the authors administered a survey at the end of the in-service to determine the usefulness of this research and whether it could affect established procedures of care. Future recommendations following this research include advocating for proper evaluation of cognition in clients with acute high-level SCI early in the rehabilitation process, promoting greater awareness of comorbidities that may impact cognitive function, and conducting further research on the application of certain verbal and motor-free cognitive assessments to this population.
Publication Place
Tacoma, Washington
Publisher
University of Puget Sound
Project Chairperson
Tatiana Kaminsky, PhD, OTR/L
Project Chairperson
Publication Date
5-2016
Genre
Capstone Project
Format
Language
English
Copyright Information
Terms of Use for work posted in Sound Ideas: http://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/copyright.html
Degree Program
Occupational Therapy
Degree Level
Master of Science
Discipline
Occupational Therapy
School
University of Puget Sound
Recommended Citation
Allen, Olivia; DeWilde, Michael; and Golob, Jon-Erik, "Cognition in Clients with Acute Tetraplegia: Why Assessment Matters" (2016). School of Occupational Therapy Master's Capstone Projects (2016-2021). 10.
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/ot_capstone/10
Capstone Approval