Affiliations: [a] Department of Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada | [b] Saskatchewan Health Authority, Regina, SK, Canada | [c] Prairie Vascular Research Inc., Regina, SK, Canada | [d] University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada | [e] School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Sebastian Harenberg, PhD, Department of Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University, PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS, Canada. E-mail: sebastianharenberg@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Post-operative cognitive dysfunction is a common complication after heart surgery that affects up to 60% of all open-heart surgery patients. Despite its prevalence, limited attention has been given to different methods to retrain cognition in open-heart surgery patients. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether 3-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D MOT) can be used to detect changes in cognitive function in open-heart surgery patients. METHODS: In total, 16 open-heart surgery patients (age: 59.43 ± 12.99 years) from a Midwestern Canadian hospital were recruited. The patients completed a cognitive assessment, including 3D MOT and other standardized neurocognitive tests at 3 time points: 1 to 2 days pre-surgery, at discharge or 1-week post-surgery (whichever came first), and at 12-weeks post-surgery. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between baseline and 1-week/discharge measurements on all measures. Patients improved significantly from 1-week/discharge to 12-weeks in 3D MOT scores. A similar yet non-significant (p= 0.07) trend was found on some neurocognitive tests (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment). CONCLUSION: No significant decline from pre- to 1-week/discharge post-surgery was found on all measures. 3D MOT detected post-surgical cognitive changes in open-heart surgery patients. Future research is warranted to explore the potential of 3D MOT in retraining cognition after heart surgery.
