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The Journal of Head Trauma...The objective of this study was to compare individuals who were not evaluated by a doctor or nurse for a self-reported concussion versus individuals who were evaluated...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare individuals who were not evaluated by a doctor or nurse for a self-reported concussion versus individuals who were evaluated for a concussion by demographic variables, concussion history, and concussion circumstances.
SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
Data were collected from 2018 SpringStyles, a web-based panel survey of US adults 18 years or older ( n = 6427), fielded in March-April.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional.
MAIN MEASURES
Respondents were asked whether they believed they had sustained a concussion in their lifetime and details about their most recent concussion, including whether they were evaluated by a doctor or nurse.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven percent of adults in the survey reported a lifetime concussion ( n = 1835). Among those individuals, 50.4% were not evaluated by a healthcare provider for their most recent concussion. Not being evaluated was higher among individuals whose concussion was caused by a slip, trip, or fall (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.65-2.99), riding a bicycle (APR = 2.28; 95% CI, 1.58-3.27), being struck by or against something by accident (APR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.88-3.34), or being struck by or against something during a fight or argument (APR = 2.89; 95% CI, 2.11-3.97), compared with individuals whose concussion was caused by a motor vehicle crash. No evaluation was also higher among individuals whose concussion occurred while engaging in a sports or recreational activity (APR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.07-1.82) or engaging in regular activities around the house (APR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.27-2.14), compared with individuals whose concussion occurred while working for pay.
CONCLUSION
More than a quarter of adults reported a lifetime concussion; however, half of them were not evaluated for their last concussion by a healthcare provider. Examination by a healthcare professional for a suspected concussion may prevent or mitigate potential long-term sequelae. Furthermore, current US surveillance methods may underestimate the burden of TBI because many individuals do not seek evaluation.
Topics: Adult; Athletic Injuries; Brain Concussion; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Prevalence; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35125431
DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000756 -
Journal of Optometry 2023
Topics: Humans; Vision Screening; Brain Concussion; Post-Concussion Syndrome
PubMed: 37302954
DOI: 10.1016/j.optom.2023.04.003 -
The Journal of School Health Feb 2022Although parents play an instrumental role in youth concussion management, few studies have qualitatively explored youth concussion recovery from the parents'...
BACKGROUND
Although parents play an instrumental role in youth concussion management, few studies have qualitatively explored youth concussion recovery from the parents' perspective. This study explored parents' experiences with and perceptions of their child's recovery from concussion, particularly with regards to the return-to-school process.
METHODS
We conducted 11 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the parents of concussed youth aged 11 to 17 years between October 2018 and April 2019. We used the methods of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding to analyze the data.
RESULTS
We identified 7 themes during data analysis, which we divided into 2 categories: at home (prior to school re-entry) and at school (during the school reintegration process). The at-home category included 4 themes: (1) physical and cognitive rest; (2) child-led decision-making; (3) the role of parent-child communication in recovery; and (4) feelings about returning to school following concussion. The at-school category included 3 themes: (1) availability and utilization of academic accommodations; (2) return-to-school policies and procedures; and (3) support from school officials and teachers.
CONCLUSIONS
Parents' experiences of their child's return-to-school post-concussion underscore the need for evidence-based guidelines for cognitive rest post-concussion and a collaborative, team-based approach to concussion management.
Topics: Adolescent; Brain Concussion; Child; Humans; Parent-Child Relations; Parents; Qualitative Research; Schools
PubMed: 34806778
DOI: 10.1111/josh.13114 -
Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi Oct 2021To understand the current status of appraisal of post-concussion syndrome disability and the reasons for the changes in re-appraisal opinions.
OBJECTIVES
To understand the current status of appraisal of post-concussion syndrome disability and the reasons for the changes in re-appraisal opinions.
METHODS
The cases that were judged as "post-concussion syndrome and ten-level disability" in the first appraisal and re-appraised for psychiatric impairment by the Academy of Forensic Science in 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
There were 75 cases, including 58 cases with pre-hospital emergency medical records, among which 39 cases were clearly recorded to be without a history of coma; 74 cases had emergency medical records, among which 44 cases were recorded of having a history of coma; 43 cases had follow-up medical records, among which 24 cases had a history of psychiatric follow-up. The most complained symptoms of the appraisee in appraisal and examination include headache, dizziness, poor sleep at night, irritability, memory loss, fatigue and inattention. The main reasons for the re-appraisal application include doubts about the history of coma, doubts about the credibility of mental symptoms, post-concussion syndrome didn't meet the disability criteria, and objections to the original appraisal procedure or the original appraisal agency. The appraisal opinions of a total of 47 cases were changed. Seven of them did not meet the disability criteria, and the main reason was that there was no clear history of coma and no head injury was admitted; the coma history of the 40 other cases had to be confirmed by the court before they can be clearly identified as disabilities. The reason was that the records about the history of coma were inconsistent or there were alterations and additional information.
CONCLUSIONS
In the past, the conditions for appraisal of post-concussion syndrome disability were too lax and must be further standardized and strictly controlled.
Topics: Brain Concussion; Craniocerebral Trauma; Headache; Humans; Mental Disorders; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35187918
DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.101101 -
Research in Nursing & Health Feb 2023Brain fog is one symptom that has been underexplored in traumatic brain injury (TBI). We explored the cognitive and affective correlates of brain fog in people with...
Brain fog is one symptom that has been underexplored in traumatic brain injury (TBI). We explored the cognitive and affective correlates of brain fog in people with symptomatic mild TBI (n = 15), moderate-to-severe TBI (n = 15), and a healthy control group (n = 16). Measures across the studies assessed "brain fog" (Mental Clutter Scale), objective cognition (Useful Field of View® and Cogstate Brief Battery®), post-concussive symptoms (Post-Concussion Symptom Scale), and depressive symptoms (Profile of Moods Scale). Brain fog was higher in symptomatic mild TBI and moderate-to-severe TBI compared with healthy controls. Greater brain fog corresponded to greater depressive symptoms in symptomatic mild TBI. Greater brain fog corresponded to poorer episodic memory and working memory in moderate-to-severe TBI. Brain fog appears to reflect challenges in recovery, including depressive symptoms and worse cognitive function. Screening for brain fog might be worthwhile in people with brain injuries.
Topics: Humans; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Brain Concussion; Brain Injuries; Cognition; Brain
PubMed: 36504287
DOI: 10.1002/nur.22280 -
Medicine and Science in Sports and... Feb 2022Physical activity (PA) and mental activity (MA) postconcussion has received renewed attention to improve concussion management; however, most protocols start after...
INTRODUCTION
Physical activity (PA) and mental activity (MA) postconcussion has received renewed attention to improve concussion management; however, most protocols start after several days and do not assess the acute window. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess PA and MA in the first 48 h postconcussion on the time to symptom-free status and return to play.
METHODS
We recruited 78 NCAA Division I athletes (male, 51.3%; age, 19.6 ± 1.4 yr; height, 173.7 ± 11.5 cm; weight, 80.1 ± 23.2 kg) who were diagnosed with a sports-related concussion. Participants completed a 0-5 PA and MA scale daily until fully cleared for return to participation (mean, 15.1 ± 6.9 d). A quadratic model regression assessed PA and MA over the first 2 d (acute) postconcussion on to time to symptom-free status and return to play.
RESULTS
The overall model was significant for both time to symptom free (r2 = 0.27, P = 0.004) and return to play (r2 = 0.23, P = 0.019). Reported PA was the only significant predictor for time to symptom-free (P = 0.002) and return-to-participation (P = 0.006) day. Reported MA was not associated either outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
The primary finding of this study was that mild to moderate PA acutely postconcussion was associated with reduced time to symptom free and return to participation as opposed to either lower or higher levels of PA. Conversely, acute MA was not associated with recovery outcomes. These results further elucidate the role of postconcussion PA.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Athletic Injuries; Brain Concussion; Cognition; Exercise; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Prospective Studies; Return to Sport; Self Report; Young Adult
PubMed: 34559729
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002787 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2020An estimated 1.1 to 1.9 million children and adolescents in the United States are treated for a sports- or recreationally-related concussion each year. The importance of... (Review)
Review
An estimated 1.1 to 1.9 million children and adolescents in the United States are treated for a sports- or recreationally-related concussion each year. The importance of formalized assessment and measurement of concussion symptoms has been widely recognized as a component of best-practice treatment. The present paper reviews a sample of the most commonly used measures of concussion symptomology and explores psychologists' role in their application in a pediatric practice. In addition, other issues such as accessibility and the appropriateness of application with child and adolescent patients are discussed. Literature is reviewed from journals pertaining to pediatric and adolescent medicine, sports medicine, neuropsychology, and testing and measurement.
Topics: Adolescent; Athletes; Athletic Injuries; Brain Concussion; Child; Glasgow Coma Scale; Humans; Psychology; Role; Sports; Sports Medicine
PubMed: 33080778
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207549 -
Journal of Athletic Training Jul 2020Sport-related concussion is a common injury that has garnered the attention of the media and general public because of the potential for prolonged acute symptoms and... (Review)
Review
Sport-related concussion is a common injury that has garnered the attention of the media and general public because of the potential for prolonged acute symptoms and increased risk for long-term impairment. Currently, a growing body of evidence supports the use of various therapies to improve recovery after a concussion. A contemporary approach to managing concussion symptoms is to use aerobic exercise as treatment. To date, several studies on both pediatric and adult patients have established that controlled aerobic exercise is a safe and effective way to rehabilitate patients experiencing delayed recovery after concussion. However, less is known about the utility of an early exercise protocol for optimizing recovery after acute concussion and reducing the risk for persistent postconcussive symptoms, particularly in pediatric populations. Thus, the purpose of our paper was to review and evaluate the available literature on the implementation of aerobic exercise for the treatment of acute pediatric concussion.
Topics: Athletic Injuries; Brain Concussion; Child; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Recovery of Function
PubMed: 32503036
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-404-19 -
Personality and Mental Health Nov 2022Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) poses risk to the neurocognitive, emotional, and financial well-being of affected individuals. While aggression and impulsivity have...
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) poses risk to the neurocognitive, emotional, and financial well-being of affected individuals. While aggression and impulsivity have been examined in relation to mTBI, little work has been done to evaluate the relationship between history of mTBI and personality disorder (PD). The authors examined the associations between history of mTBI and PD in a control group without history of mTBI (N = 1189) and individuals with history of mTBI (N = 267). Results demonstrated that any PD diagnosis is a significant risk factor for mTBI (p < 0.001). Cluster B diagnoses, particularly borderline and antisocial PD, were independently significant risk factors for mTBI. These data suggest a role for screening for a history of mTBI in patients with PDs and associated traits.
Topics: Humans; Brain Concussion; Personality Disorders; Impulsive Behavior; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Aggression
PubMed: 35598165
DOI: 10.1002/pmh.1550 -
Annals of Neurology Feb 2023Sports concussion has recently assumed special importance because of the widely publicized entity of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Identified primarily in... (Review)
Review
Sports concussion has recently assumed special importance because of the widely publicized entity of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Identified primarily in former contact sports athletes with repeated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), CTE is a distinct tauopathy that can only be diagnosed postmortem and for which no specific treatment is available. Although the hazards of repeated mTBI are generally acknowledged, a spirited controversy has developed because a firm link between sports concussion and CTE has been questioned. We briefly review the history of CTE, discuss areas of uncertainty, and offer suggestions to assist neurologists confronting these issues and advance understanding of this vexing problem. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:222-225.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy; Brain Concussion; Tauopathies; Athletes; Autopsy
PubMed: 36504163
DOI: 10.1002/ana.26566