Welcome To Vancouver West Chiropractic Clinic
We would like to welcome you to the Vancouver chiropractor, Dr. Andrew Spence's
web site. Our office has existed at this location since 1986 and has provided
care to Vancouver's lower mainland residents with consistent and up to date
care. It is a priority at the office that all patients are treated individually
meeting their specific care requirements.
We encourage you to search through the site as it is filled with information about chiropractic and your general health..
CHRONIC BACK PAIN IMPAIRS DECISION MAKING
Scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that chronic pain impairs an individual's decision-making capability.
As part of one study, investigators compared 26 healthy people with 26 patients with chronic back pain (CBP) and 12 patients with a condition called chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is a chronic nerve disorder typically afflicting the arms or legs, which usually onsets following an injury.
The study participants were asked to perform a test researchers use to assess emotional decision-making. The test, called the Iowa Gambling Task, is a gambling card game.
Subjects with CBP performed 41% worse than did pain-free individuals. Those with CRPS performed even poorer.
The study's authors conclude that "our evidence indicates that chronic pain is associated with a specific cognitive deficit, which may impact everyday behavior especially in risky, emotionally laden, situations."
"Other cognitive abilities, such as attention, short-term memory, and general intelligence tested normal in the chronic pain patients."
Source: Pain - March 2004;108:129-36.http://www.sciencedirect.com/