Effect of Chronic Knee Pain on Cognitive Function: Clinical Study

Abstract Objectives: Chronic knee pain is a clinical problem that causes inconvenience in social, familial, and business environments. In clinic, while etiologies of chronic knee pain are generally known, its effects on cognitive functions are not fully understood. This study aims to measure and evaluate the relationship between cognitive function and chronic knee pain. Methods: Ninety-eight patients between 18 and 70 years of age having knee pain for at least 6 months were included in the study. Two groups were divided between A1 and A2, both patients of chronic knee pain. Cognitive functions were evaluated in the A1 group before treatment and in the A2 group after taking treatment. Both groups had the same number of patients [N = 98]. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MOCA] was applied to the patients before and after treatment. The patients with a MOCA score 26 and over were accepted as normal in terms of cognitive functions. Results: The MOCA score of the A2 group was significantly higher than that of A1 group. Visual analog scale values in group A2 were significantly decreased compared to A1. Although orientation scores were decreased, patients in group A2 showed a statistically significant increase in cognitive functional indicators like visual functions, language, abstract thinking, and delayed recall compared with group A1. Conclusions: The chronic knee pains might lead to cognitive function disorders in the long term. This can be prevented with the effective treatment of pain so that quality of life of patients can be increased. Moreover, the use of costly diagnosis and treatment methods can be prevented.