Emerging Relations Among Cognitive Constructs and Cochlear Implant Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Amini, A. E., Naples, J. G., et al. (2023).
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 169(4), 792-810.
This systematic review with meta-analysis investigates the effects of cochlear implantation (CI) on cognition and speech recognition outcomes in post-lingually deafened adults, 18 years and older, who have a CI.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
1996 to December 2021
Published, peer-reviewed, English-language studies with 10 or more participants (not further specified)
52
Overall, cochlear implantation in adults demonstrated a high level of positive impact on memory and learning (60%) and inhibition-concentration (64%), with low levels of positive effects in verbal fluency (18%). Meta-analysis of pooled effect sizes comparing pre- and 1-year post-CI results found significant increases in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (0.86; 95% CI=0.23 to 1.49), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores (0.83; 95% CI=0.14 to 1.53), and Trail Making Test (TMT) Part B (-11.67 seconds; 95% CI=-17.02 to -6.32; <em>p</em>=0.004) and non-significant improvements in TMT-A (-3.52; 95% CI=-10.41 to 3.37; <em>p</em>=0.23). The authors note limitations in the available data preventing conclusions regarding CI effects on individual cognitive domains. Additional limitations include heterogeneity regarding patient demographics between studies, lack of age-matched controls, failure to include baseline cognitive function, and inconsistencies in follow-up timing across studies. Further research is warranted.
